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Celebrate the democratic miracle that is India

Active citizenship is central to democratic governance. While freedom to vote is fundamental, on average only about 50% of those eligible actually cast their vote. However, freedom to vote also includes the freedom to exercise the right not to vote. Empowering India seeks to encourage democratic participation, by facilitating flow of information, and motivating the citizens to exercise their right to vote.

A voter faces a number of problems, he may not have adequate information about the candidates and policies, she may have little motivation to go out and vote, he may be threatened with undesirable consequences if he votes, she may be induced to vote for a particular candidate or party, his name may be missing from the voter list, her documentation to prove her bona fide may be lacking.

Empowering India empowers the citizens with information, encourages them to cherish their political freedom, and urges them to exercise their democratic rights meaningfully.

 

 

Making Democracy Meaningful

Empowering India believes politics is not only a necessary function in an open and democratic society, but must also be seen as a noble profession. Its key objectives are the following:

- Encourage voters to make an informed choice during elections;

- Promote transparency and accountability;

- Stimulate good governance;

- Monitor performance of elected representatives;

- Improve understanding of the democratic processes;

- Nurture a dialogue between citizens and political activists.

 

 

Information is power

Empowering India aims to compile a range of information:

- Election results and analyses;

- Political biographies of candidates - their assets and liabilities, educational qualifications, and criminal charges (if any);

- Performance of legislators;

- Legislative agenda;

- Constituency development profile;

- Constituency news updates;

- Political manifestos

 

The Road Ahead

Empowering India’s reach is not limited to only internet users, but also others who do not have these resources. To achieve this, it seeks to partner with grassroots organizations who will help to disseminate the information in innovative ways to different audiences. It aims:

- To reach out to 650 million voters in every constituency in the country

- To monitor and compile information of about 50,000 candidates who contest national parliament and state assembly elections

- To collect information from about 5,000 MLA and nearly 800 MPs

- To find a local partner in every constituency who could help compile reliable information, and then disseminate it locally

- To integrate the municipality and village panchayat level information

 

Coalition of Citizens

Active citizenship is at the heart of a modern functioning democracy. Empowering India provides a platform for concerned citizens and organisations, intelligentsia and political activists, to work towards a common goal of enriching the democratic experience.

- Encourage participation in the democratic process,

- Facilitate the flow of information

- Enhance capacity to make informed choices

- Transparency to hold the elected representatives accountable


Webpage: www.empoweringindia.org

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