Social media platform like Facebook is likely to impact the outcome of the coming general elections scheduled to be held in 2014, stated a report conducted by Internet and Mobile body, Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI).

The study “Social Media and Lok Sabha Elections” shows that there are 160 High Impact Constituencies out of the total of 543 constituencies, which will likely be influenced by social media during the next general elections.

The report also finds that there are a total of 67 constituencies, which has been identified as Medium Impact constituencies, while the rest of the constituencies have been identified as Low Impact Constituencies or No impact constituencies.

High Impact Constituencies are those where the numbers of Facebook users are more than the margin of victory of the winner in the last Lok Sabha election, or where Facebook users account for over 10% of the voting population.

“The corresponding numbers are 60 out of 543 in the Low Impact category and the remaining 256 out of 543 as being in the No Impact Category. Maharashtra has the most High Impact Constituencies (21), followed by Gujarat (17),” it notes.

According to the report, 67 out of the 543 constituencies have been identified as Medium Impact constituencies. The Medium Impact constituencies are those where it has been assumed that a Facebook user can influence one other voter who may not be on Facebook. Constituencies where the total number of Facebook users is in excess of 5% of the voting population.

The rest of the constituencies have been identified as Low Impact Constituencies or No impact constituencies. The corresponding numbers are 60 out of 543 in the Low Impact category and the remaining 256 out of 543 as being in the No Impact Category.