Development Seed Blog

Iraqis have seen a lot more campaigning and advertising for tomorrow’s elections than for the previous one, and the candidates have gotten more sophisticated too. Not only are they using typical media sources like television and newspapers, but some candidates have been sending text messages to try to bring voters to their side. ABC News reports:

This time some groups, including the Shi'ite Islamist parties that dominate the government, have taken to bombarding Iraqis with text messages to their mobile telephones.

Some candidates have come up with some creative text messages to send to potential voters. The Boston Globe reports (log-in required):

One party has sent cell phone text messages promising its followers a place in heaven.

And text messages aren’t the only way that cell phones are playing an important role in the campaigns. Also from The Boston Globe (log-in required):

The Shi'ite Alliance took a more populist approach, throwing $10 prepaid cell phone cards out the window of an SUV in downtown Baghdad.

I guess soldiers are the only ones throwing candy these days.