In the run up to the Lok Sabha elections of India, the largest democracy in the world, everyone is trying to play a part and search engine Google hasn’t stayed behind.

The Politics and Elections hub of Google has a page for each country where one can follow happenings, elections and participate in discussions. The first election tool was launched by Google seven years ago and today over 20 countries have election specific pages under this hub.

As a part of this, Google on Tuesday launched a new tool specific to the Indian elections. Called ‘Know Your Candidates,’ the tool presents all publicly available information about the candidates contesting in the 2014 General Elections. It aims at enabling citizens to make an informed choice while voting. The tool allows people to access information about the candidates contesting from their constituencies. It also provides information about the incumbent Member of Parliament from their region.

Presented on the interactive interface of Google Maps, all one needs to do avail the information is enter the pin code of the area. Instead, if one prefers to zoom the map to locate their area, the tool provides that facility too.

Information about every candidate has been aggregated from various sources like the Association for Democratic

Reforms (ADR), PRS Legislative and Liberty Institute India.

Educational background, details of assets and other information about the candidate’s financial status, his/her presence in the social media and everything relevant has been made available to the people. The information will be updated on a regular basis as the candidatures get finalised. Go to www.google.co.in/elections/ed/in/districts to find out more.

Desi initiative

MyNeta-National Election Watch, an initiative of Association for Democratic Reforms, also provides information about the candidates contesting from your constituency.

All one needs to do is send an SMS MYNETA <pincode of your area> to 56070 or 92465 56070.

Costing `1 for the message, the reply provides one with information on criminal cases (if any), assets, liabilities, educational qualifications and so on.

You will also get an SMS’s with information about both Member of Legislative Assembly and Member of Parliament aspirants from your constituency.

For additional information, log on to myneta.info.