Logging in to polls 2014

Are you a first-time voter and worried about how to go around exercising your franchise? Or are you one of them who feels embarrassed, each time your friends discuss poll topics?
Well there is no reason for shying away anymore as there are at least half a dozen online platforms that have now mushroomed to handhold you through these general and state elections.Not just that, these websites or online portasls are also hosting debates, online campaigns and discussions on topics related to elections this year, add to to your GK.
While websites, including Election Watch used to rule the roost, the new polished and ritzy websites are drawing an equally good pool of wannabe voters, eager to participate in this election.
Sadda Haq, an online platform, which can also be downloaded into your android phones to get every minute updates on elections, has a strong city presence.
With young voters starting campaigns, including those related to environment, women’s safety and civic amenities, the platform is busy with queries on topics related to national and regional political players.
“Voters ask where they could get their voter id cards from. Those who are new to the city or the electoral process ask what local issues in politics and civil society are? We provide information accumulated from different websites on a single platform,” said Sudheer Sharma, owner of degapoll.com, another such website designed for denizens.
One platform, andhravilas.com is offering exclusive Telugu coverage on specific constituencies. “The website offers timely news on each and every campaign taken up locally. It does not assume any political stand and offers muchneeded candidate watch, which other platforms are not able to offer,” said S Sandeep Kumar, an administrator.
For those who campaign actively for parties and those who feel the need to engage with the election scene, it’s the content which matters at the end of day. “Here we get to interact with other voters. There are intellectuals, professionals, students and people from different walks of life interacting, even before one decides on whom to vote,” said N Seshagiri Rao, an ardent campaigner on Sadda Haq.