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HUB OF DISCOURSE: Will the Internet make as big an impact in the next general election as it did the last time? Arman Ahmad speaks to three experts

However, Azizuddin said: "Traditional media still has a significant impact in influencing people's voting trend in the general election, especially for rural folk who have less access to the new media."

Arman Ahmad, New Straits Times

AS the 13th general election draws closer, the battle for the hearts and minds of voters is heating up. The ruling party and opposition blogs and websites are abuzz with activity, working hard at spreading their ideas.

The Internet is widely credited for the opposition's gains during the last general election. This time around, however, both sides seem equally matched in terms of online presence.

But how far will the Internet affect the outcome of the next election?

Experts said what people saw and read on the Internet would influence their opinions. However, they added, people would still vote based on other factors.

"People don't vote based on what they read on the Internet," said Julian Hopkins, communications lecturer at Monash University. Instead, he said, people voted based on what they experienced in life.

The election results will be mostly influenced by what people think about the government, and the direction the country is going.

Original post:
Internet's net result on election results