Blogger and professional writer Prashant Dhavan thinks that the Internet is now one of the most powerful mediums of political campaigning for the 2009 Lok Sabha (parliamentary) elections.
Political parties are leveraging the reach and power of the Internet to seek votes as well to raise awareness about voting. Strategists and leaders are harnessing the latent potential of the Web for reaching out to the masses in the most cost effective manner and in the least possible time.

Driven by the increasing popularity of the Net, parties are turning to Google and Yahoo. In fact, top search engine giants have launched the dedicated websites for Indian general elections. Yahoo took the initiative, and Google followed suit.

Both the websites have user-friendly features to attract online audiences. Voters all across the country can check their voter registration status; view their constituency on a well-illustrated map; locate their polling booth; get election-related news, blogs, quotations and videos. The voter can examine key data highlighting, for example any changes in poverty, literacy, and employment rates in the constituency.

Managing director, Google India, has been quoted as saying “An informed voter is a pre-requisite for the Indian democracy’s healthy functioning. This is especially true during all election cycles. We have this year taken up many initiatives, which have promoted access to election-related data in India.”
The election-related websites help voters in understanding the progress of development in their respective constituencies, and consider important data related to their representatives in Parliament. Vice-president, Yahoo! India (Emerging Markets and acting country head) Gopal Krishna, quipped: “The Internet has emerged as an all-pervasive medium. It is playing a significant role the way people collaborate and interact on topics, which matter such as the elections.”

Importantly, voters may consider the educational credentials as well as attendance record of their Member of Parliament and the qualifications of the key candidates contesting this year. In order to draw youths, several of whom could be first time voters, the special election websites are focusing on voter educating and awareness. You will also get election schedule and result updates on, expert analysis, discussion forums, online polls, and action-packed photos from the  election battlefield.