IT contractors may see more job vacancies in the political arena as party candidates shift towards online electioneering, an independent digital agency claims.

Young voters have a negative view of traditional "doorstepping" and need to be engaged through digital channels, according to Rhys Williams, managing director at agenda21 digital.

Facebook will play a key role in the election campaigns of 83 per cent of the current parliamentary candidates, while 50 per cent will be using Twitter, according to new research from PR firm Fishburn Hedges.

Meanwhile, 84 per cent of the current candidates said they would be using social networking sites to communicate with their constituents, should they be elected.

"I think it's quite interesting what they're doing through sending emails and its interesting to see how they link through to YouTube channels, Facebook pages, Twitter pages. I think it's vital – they just can't not be there," said Mr Williams.

The leader's of the UK's three main political parties have all agreed to enter into a pre-election online debate, answering questions from members of the public in the form of video posts.