SNS has huge impact on election

By Lee Tae-hoon

The race for Seoul mayor remains too close to call with several last-minute factors, such as campaigning through social networking services (SNS) and star IT expert Ahn Cheol-soo’s public appearance, expected to greatly influence the election result.

The neck-and-neck battle between independent candidate Park Won-soon and his rival Na Kyung-won of the governing Grand National Party (GNP) has become even more difficult to predict with a ban on the publication of opinion poll results as voting day nears.

Under election law, the disclosure of new survey information is prohibited beginning six days prior to the election, which is set for Oct. 26. Pre-election polls showed the gap between Park and Na within the margin of error.

The growing use of SNS sites in electioneering, such as Twitter, will certainly be a determinant for the outcome and will likely serve in favor of lawyer-turned activist Park rather than judge-turned politician Na.

As of Friday, Park had slightly more than 150,000 Twitter followers allowing his campaign messages to instantly spread to the Internet and mobile devices, nearly three times that of Na’s 51,000.

In recent elections, including the June 2 by-elections, Korea saw a clear trend of young voters’ rushing to polling stations influenced by SNS messages they received from individuals who post comments on certain candidates or their polling experience.

Political experts say that Twitter alone contributed to boosting the turnout rate of people in their 20s and 30s, who have a stronger tendency to vote for liberal candidates, by about 5 percent.

The move to increase the turnout rate by sharing pictures taken before or after casting ballots will encourage many tech-savvy voters to show up to polling stations on Wednesday.

Despite the election watchdog’s crackdown on illegal SNS campaigning, which includes propagation of mudslinging or character assassination, the SNS is anticipated to play a crucial role in the cut-throat race.

The emergence of doctor-turned-IT mogul Ahn is another key factor that could sway the outcome of the election.

The iconic software entrepreneur, who now serves as a Seoul National University professor, abandoned his own bid last month to endorse Park, but has been reluctant to make public appearances or issue statements in support of the civic activist.

“Whether Ahn will participate in the campaigning for Park remains the biggest threat to us,” said GNP lawmaker Kwon Young-jin, a campaign manager for Na.

Ahn’s support for Park could be critical as the former is enjoying strong popularity from both liberal and conservative voters.

“It would be helpful if professor Ahn makes an appearance to provide some assistance,” Park said.

Some observers say Ahn is carefully weighing his options as his decision will likely affect his possible presidential ambition.