MUMBAI: There is no denying the fact that digital media has remained one of the strongest tools used by the political giants to woo the voters this election season. Be it extensive ad campaigns or relevant discussions, the online channels have played a key part in the election discourse.

The Facebook Ad Library report, released by the giant with the aim to develop more transparency in the political messaging online, recently revealed that political parties in India spent over Rs. 53 crore on digital platforms between February and May 2019.

The report also revealed that 1.21 lakh political ads were put online by various political parties with a cumulative spending of more than 26.5 crore, during this period.

Ruling party BJP turned out to be the biggest spender online, with an expenditure of Rs. 4.23 crore on over 25,000 ads on just Facebook. Apart from that, pages like My First Vote for Modi', 'Bharat Ke Mann Ki Baat' and 'Nation with NaMo' also spent around Rs. 4 crore. The party spent more 17 crores on other Google platforms.

The next in the line of top political advertisers was Indian National Congress that spent quite less than BJP. As per the report, Indian National Congress spent Rs 1.46 crore on Facebook for 3,686 ads. It infused Rs 2.71 crore on Google's platforms with 425 ads.

All India Trinamool Congress spent around Rs. 29.28 lakh on social media platforms during the aforementioned period.

Aam Aadmi Party also spent heavily on digital platforms with expenditure amounting to Rs. 13.62 lakh for 176 ads on its Facebook page. On Google, Auburn Digital Solutions that runs AAP’s campaigns spent Rs. 2.18 crore from February till May 15, 2019.

The polling for the 7 phases of general elections was concluded on May 19. The results for the same will be declared on May 23.