2018 Elections and Social Media Campaign project in Sierra Leone is aimed at supporting youthful voters through the use of text messaging, to increase their turnout on Election Day. It will further increase voter education about the activities of the elections. e.g. # of days to elections, # of polling stations, #say no to election violence, etc. CNU-SL youth and students social media campaigns in the past, have demonstrated that text messaging is a powerful tool for prevention election violence
This project, 2018 Elections and Social Media Campaign will address voter apathy and elections-related violence from youth and frist time voters. It will increase voter education about the activities of the elections. e.g. # of days to elections, # of polling stations, #say no to election violence, etc. (Slogan: Vote for the political rights of youth). Social media have demonstrated that text messaging is a powerful tool that can be used to reach thousand of voters, especially youth and student
The project will send out reminder text messages between 5-7 per week nationally, using a short code about information and updates on the March 7, 2018 electoral process. CNU-SL will partner with one of Sierra Leone's leading GSM mobile company, as well as utilize social media outlets. Eligible and first time voters will received text message reminders to vote on Election Day; messages will be coded, simplify and easy to read and provide basic information about the entire electoral process.
Young Sierra Leonean voters mobilised and motivated to fully participate and make better choices in electing leaders that are responsive and sensitive to their needs. Additionally, will ensure massive youth turnout during the 2018 presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections, thereby producing the best alternative options for our emerging electoral democracy.