Visit www.google.co.in/loksabha2009 and www.hindustantimes.com/loksabha2009 to be an informed voter.
Google India today ushered in a new era of voter empowerment with the launch of an online elections center that showcases a wide range of critical information pertaining to the 2009 Lok Sabha Elections. Marking the convergence of democracy and the Internet in India, the elections center is now available at www.google.co.in/loksabha2009 in English and in Hindi. The website is also available at www.hindustantimes.com/loksabha2009 and www.livemint.com/loksabha2009 in English and www.livehindustan.com/loksabha2009 in Hindi. Collectively, these websites offer groundbreaking insight to voters to study and analyse their candidates, constituencies and election-related issues ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha Polls.
Developed in collaboration with leading NGOs such as the Association for Democratic Reforms; Indicus Analytics; the Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy; the Liberty Institute; and PRS Legislative Research, the initiative aims to create an atmosphere in which Indian citizens actively seek and utilize important information about their democracy.
At the Google India online election center, a co-marketed initiative with Hindustan Times Media Ltd, voters from across the country can confirm their voter registration status, discover their polling location, view their constituency on a map, consume relevant election-related news, blogs, videos, and quotations. In addition voters can understand the progress of development in their constituency, and consider data relating to their current and potential representatives in parliament.
A voter may visit the Google India elections center by logging onto www.google.co.in/loksabha2009 or any of the other websites noted above. After first selecting his or her constituency and viewing the location on a Google Map™, the voter may examine data highlighting - for instance - any changes in literacy, poverty, and employment rates in the constituency since the previous general election. The voter may then consider the educational credentials and attendance record of his or her current Member of Parliament and some of the qualifications of those candidates contesting in this year’s election. Subsequently, the voter may review pertinent news, blogs, videos, and quotes from a range of local organizations and individuals. Finally, the voter may search for his or her name in the voter rolls to confirm his or her registration and to receive information about the accompanying polling station.
According to Shailesh Rao, Managing Director, Google India, “Being an informed voter is a prerequisite for the healthy functioning of India’s democracy. While this is especially true during all elections cycles, we have this year observed many initiatives that have sought to promote access to election-related information in India. Keeping in mind our global mission of organizing the world’s information and making it universally accessible and useful, we have created this elections center to highlight some of the most important information available to voters in India today. Indian voters have the right to information about their constituencies and candidates and we are confident that the website will yield a positive change in voting patterns during the upcoming general elections.”
Sanjoy Narayan, Editor-in-Chief of Hindustan Times Media Limited, said, “General elections in India are always complex. Keeping that in mind, this election coverage not only gives you a comprehensive and broad brush of news stories but also keeps you sharp and informed about all the issues that we face today. The idea really is to empower our reader to make the right choice while exercising his or her franchise. We believe that an informed electorate will build a better India.”
More From This Section
“This time the 18 to 35 age group accounts for almost 40 per cent of the electorate. This chunk of young voters is good with technology and wants to make sure they elect the right people. That’s why an election website partnered between Hindustan Times, which brings you the most comprehensive and informed coverage, and Google, the technology leader in the internet space – can be such a powerful tool in helping them make their vote count,” he added.
C.V. Madhukar, Founder and Director of PRS Legislative Research, commented, “We applaud Google for leveraging its core competence and doing more than its part to contribute to the positive development of India. At PRS, our vision is an India with a more informed, transparent, and participatory public debate and we believe the creation of this online elections center cements Google’s lead on these issues in India as well."
As part of the co-marketing partnership with Hindustan Times Media Ltd to promote the website, the voter would also get an opportunity to read the content that HT Media has brought together keeping in mind the voter of today. Young voters make for a large chunk of the Indian electorate and the HT Media election coverage makes sure we help them make an informed choice.
About Google Inc.
Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.
About Hindustan Times Media Limited.
HT Media Limited was founded in 1924 when Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated its flagship newspaper, Hindustan Times. HT Media (BSE, NSE) has today grown to become one of India's largest media companies. Produced by an editorial team known for its quality, innovation and integrity, Hindustan Times (English) and Hindustan (Hindi), have a combined daily circulation of 2.25 million copies and a readership base of 12.4 million readers. Both dailies enjoy strong brand recognition among readers as well as advertisers.
In recent years, HT Media has diversified into other media – launching Fever 104 FM in a consulting partnership with Virgin Radio, and establishing a spate of Internet businesses. Firefly e-ventures Ltd., the Internet arm of HT Media, operates leading web portals HindustanTimes.com in general news, and Livemint.com in the business news category, with a combined user base of 2.5 million visitors per month. Shine.com, a career portal has also launched recently and has received high appreciation from consumers and industry for its innovative design and usability. For more information, visit www.htmedia.in.
Editorial properties from Hindustan Times, Mint and Hindustan like Youth Choose, Bioscope and Youth counts talk directly to young audiences. Similarly, properties like India Yatra, Spotlight on India and Mahaparv Ke Ghaat Par cater to what the common man thinks about its leaders. Holy politics, Hello Partner, Saas Bahu and Sons, Saansadji Ka Report Card, Sholay, Follow the leader and Twenty-20 dwell into changing equations of Indian politics -- bringing to the fore the inside stories of our leaders.
*All trade marks belong to their respective owners.