EC collaborates with Facebook to register young voters

October 05, 2016 18:38

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, social networking site Facebook is partnering with the Election Commission of India in five states going to polls next year to run a voter registration drive aimed at encouraging youth to participate in the democratic exercise.

Facebook is collaborating with the Election Commission and the office of Chief electoral officers in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand for the first time in the country to run a voter registration drive, Chief Electoral Officer Radha Raturi said.

With over 155 million people in India on Facebook, the 'Register to vote' button is designed to encourage citizens across these five states to exercise their vote in the upcoming elections.

From October 6 to 9, Facebook users in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand who are 18 years and above will receive a reminder in their News Feed to register to vote.

By clicking on the 'Register Now' button, people will be directed to the National Voters' Services Portal which will guide them through the registration process, Raturi said.

The feature will be available for people on Facebook in Punjab on October 6, for those in Manipur on October 7, for those in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh on October 8 and in Goa on October 9.

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