THE upcoming general election has seen how the Internet plays its role, a very effective one that is, in disseminating political parties’ and politicians’ messages.

Based on the increased number of political Web pages and blogs, it can be said that more and more people, especially the younger and Internet-savvy generations, are tuning to this medium to get alternative and more juicy views of the country’s political landscape.

Clearly, the cyberspace has become an important platform for people to get what they want and from whom they want it. The nature of the Internet that is “free” has made it a preferred choice of media and information especially among the younger generation.

More political parties and politicians have started to pay more attention to the capability of the Internet, unlike five to six years ago when only a few managed to use this medium fully to their advantage in garnering support. Now, even the likes of UMNO has its own cyber task force known as Cyber Troopers to combat or to correct what the other parties have said over the Internet.

If in the 1999 election and 2004 general elections the Internet is used by political parties, politicians and their supporters to just post articles and pictures, today, the usage has moved one step further with the addition of streaming video and Mpeg files.

This allows politicians to post their recorded speeches to reach their targeted audience more effectively, and the videos can be watched over and over. The availability of portals like YouTube and the likes has also made it easy for people to post politically-motivated videos. It only takes the power of word of mouth and people will soon be jamming the sites to see if the content is interesting.

Besides that, Web forums also add another dimension where people are able to exchange their views, be it supporting or against a topic, persons, ideas, etc.

The more creative candidates have even used their portals as a means to raise funds via credit cards and online transfers, and it worked. Hence, showing that a lot of people do tune in to the Internet to get their news and updates on politics.

Looking ahead five years from now, the Internet is expected to play even bigger roles in helping political parties and candidates win votes and trusts.

By that time, as broadband connection becomes ubiquitous and extremely fast, people no longer have to wait in front of the TV for the latest political news.

People would be able to access news and speeches in video format through not just computers but from various mobile devices, anytime, anywhere.

By that time, talks or ceramah can be streamed live via broadband connections and one doesn’t even have to be at the place where the talks or ceramah takes place to view it.

For political parties and politicians no matter how young or old, be they from the ruling party or the opposition, the Internet is one medium that cannot be neglected.

Ignoring the Internet and technology will be like leaving your sword behind in a battlefield.