Association for Democratic Reforms joins hands with Facebook for online information on ministers

Source:

The Times of India

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-11-15/india/44113110_1_access-facebook-democratic-reforms-election-candidates

Date:

15.11.2013

City:

LUCKNOW

LUCKNOW: Information about a candidate contesting from your assembly or parliamentary constituency is now just a phone call away. Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Facebook have joined hands to provide citizens the up-to-date candidates' information for the upcoming state assembly elections and Lok Sabha elections to help them make an informed choice.

Voters will now be able to access election candidates' criminal, financial, educational, professional etc. information directly on their mobile via Facebook using USSD technology. To access the information on election candidates for free-all users have to do is dial *325# from their mobile to access Facebook and select the election menu (option 6) or directly dial*325*35# to access the election menu for no charge.

Professor Trilochan Sastry, founder and trustee, Association for Democratic Reforms, said, "At ADR, we are committed to strengthening democracy by continuously empowering the electorate through greater dissemination of information relating to the candidates and the parties, for a better and informed choice. This initiative with Facebook will allow us to expand our reach. Voters will be able to know the poll worthiness of candidates -- their educational, criminal and financial information -- at their fingertips and choose wisely. Simply voting in an uninformed manner is not enough; citizens need to make an informed choice."