Facebook ties up with ADR to provide election candidate information

In its bid to engage its involvement with its users as the country goes to polls come 2014, social media major Facebook has tied up with Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) for bringing updated election candidate profile and information, on user handsets. ADR which has for sometime now, been providing information on candidates' criminal, financial, educational, professional information through myneta.info is hopeful that this step will help to take further its initiative to have informed voters.

The feature which is available for free on mobile handsets, can be accessed by dialing 325#  to access Facebook and select the election menu or directly dial 32535# to access the election menu for no charge.

Tipped as being cheaper than sms, the feature uses USSD technology which allows text experiences on phones without using the internet.

Prof. Jagdeep Chhokar of ADR speaking to Business Standard said, “Reach of social media is increasing and in an effort to easily reach out to more people in addition to our exiting efforts we have tied up with Facebook to provide candidate information. This move will supplement our efforts to enhance availability and reach of information about candidates both in the upcoming Assembly and Lok Sabha polls.”