SMU Wee Kim Wee Centre Director and Associate Professor of English Literature Kirpal Singh commented on the effectiveness of social media in garnering votes for the General Election. He noted that “walkabouts are a platform that any great politician can use to great advantage”, as “nothing can replace the memory of a walkabout”, adding that “meeting a political figure face to face and having tea with them are things that cannot be replaced”. While Associate Prof Singh acknowledges the popularity of social media among young people, he feels that face-to-face engagement is more effective when it comes to the elections.