International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Social Media and the Impact of Misinformation on Voters : A study of Assam’s Assembly Election 2026

The rapid growth of digital communication technologies has changed the electoral politics across India and Assam is not an exception . Now a days various Social media platforms such as Facebook , WhatsApp, YouTube , Instagram and X have become central areas for political communication, voter engagements , campaign mobilization and public debates. Although such platforms have democratized access to information and enhanced political participation , but also simultaneously facilitated the rapid spread of misinformation , disinformation , manipulated narratives and other AI generated political content . The recent assembly election of assam also demonstrate the growing significance of digital media in shaping voter perceptions and influencing electoral discourse . Drawing upon various secondary sources, this study explores how digital platforms influence political behavior and democratic participation . The article also investigate the role of political propaganda , identity-based mobilization and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence in electoral communication. While social media has strengthened political outreach and citizen engagement, it has also increased the vulnerability of voters in misleading information , emotional manipulation and political polarization . The study argues that media literacy , regulatory frameworks , ethical political communication and institutional accountability are essential for preserving democratic integrity in the digital age . This article contributes to the growing literature on digital democracy and electoral communication in Northeast India and highlights the need for continue scholarly attention to the evolving relationship between politics and technology.