They Used Facebook to Win—But Can’t Use It to Serve?

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We’ve all seen it—during election season, our social media feeds light up with posts, reels, livestreams, and hashtags. Candidates are suddenly everywhere. From parliamentary hopefuls to council candidates and even presidential contenders, everyone seems eager to connect, engage, and "listen" to the people.

But here's the real question: where do they all disappear to once they’re elected?

I find it incredibly frustrating that the same people who flood Facebook timelines and TikTok feeds to ask for our votes go completely silent when it’s time to answer real questions or provide updates about their work.

Let me be clear—this isn’t just an abstract complaint. I’ve personally tagged several elected officials on issues that fall directly under their mandate. Addu City Council members, including the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, and Councillor Hussain Hilmy, have been completely unresponsive. Not even a simple acknowledgement.

And it’s not just at the local level.

Take Mohamed Aslam, the current Minister of Environment and Housing. During the recent MDP elections, he actively used social media to campaign. Yet he has failed to address serious concerns about Southern Utilities Limited, which operates under his ministry.

And then there’s Alhan Fahumy—a familiar name and now vying for MDP Deputy Leadership. Once again, the social media buzz is back—but only when it benefits him. When citizens raise legitimate questions, it’s radio silence.

So, why the double standard?

Social media isn’t just a campaign tool. It’s a powerful platform for public service. It's where conversations happen. It’s where transparency and accountability can thrive—if only our elected officials had the will to engage.

If you're serious about public service, your engagement shouldn't stop once you've won the seat. You owe it to your constituents to report back, consult, explain, and yes, even defend your decisions.

Take a page from President Mohamed Nasheed’s playbook. Like him or not, he set a strong example of consistent, open engagement—even when the questions were tough. That’s leadership.

How Elected Leaders Can Use Social Media Better

If politicians truly want to serve, here's how they can turn social media into a force for good:

✅ Post Regular Updates – Share progress on projects, delays, budgets, or upcoming events. A monthly “What We Did” post goes a long way in keeping the public informed.

✅ Host Live Q&A Sessions – Engage the public directly. A short Facebook Live every month can create real-time conversations and boost trust.

✅ Acknowledge Public Concerns – You may not be able to reply to everyone, but don’t ignore serious or repeated concerns. A simple “Noted, will follow up” matters.

✅ Be Present, Even When It’s Tough – Don’t hide from criticism. Respond with facts, context, and empathy. Silence only adds to public frustration.

✅ Encourage Dialogue – Ask for feedback. Run polls. Post “What do you think?” questions. Politics should be two-way, not a monologue.

✅ Celebrate the Community – Highlight the work of local citizens, NGOs, or even everyday stories of resilience and innovation.

✅ Make It Routine – Establish social media themes:

  • #MondayUpdates for weekly work summaries

  • #FridayFeedback to crowdsource ideas or reflect on challenges

  • #AskYourRep for open question days

✅ Explain in Plain Language – Not every post has to be formal. Use clear language, local dialects, and visuals to get your point across.

✅ Share Budgets & Policies Simply – Help people understand where their tax money is going. Use charts, infographics, and timelines.

✅ Track & Address Trends – If a recurring issue is being raised (like poor road conditions or delays in water supply), address it proactively—even if it’s not yet resolved.

Social media gave politicians the platform to rise—now it’s time to use that same platform to serve.

To all elected leaders: your responsibility doesn’t end when the campaign ends. It begins.

Let your online presence reflect your accountability, not just your ambition.

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