has been designed as the one-stop resource for everything voters, journalists and electoral practitioners need to know about voting in next year's election.
London Elects, working under the Greater London returning officer, is managing the elections along with the 32 London boroughs and the City of London.
The site sets a new benchmark for online services in the public sector with information in 18 languages other than English, including Cantonese, Vietnamese, Greek, Turkish, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Polish and Arabic.
Usability groups were also convened to consult Londoners about their expectations of the site, and gauge how information could be structured in easily digestible sections, for example: an explanation of each institution and what they do; how each is elected; how to stand as a candidate; followed by previous election statistics.
The site has been designed and built by the creative agency, de-construct, which placed strong emphasis on creating a site with a simple and fresh design that is easily to navigate and visually interesting.
Creative use of white space and imagery is present to reflect London's diversity have been applied to create a site that is visually engaging but also functional.
Anthony Mayer, the Greater London returning officer, said: "Next year Londoners will be electing three different institutions under various different voting systems. We've designed a site that enables people to find out more about the institutions, the systems used to elect them -- plus everything from voter registration to how to stand as a candidate."
As the election draws nearer, the site will be updated to provide statutory information on demand. Animated graphics are being developed to bring the election process to life -- explaining the different voting systems and the lifecycle of a ballot paper from polling station to the final result. Once nominations close on May 13 2004, the site will also provide contact information and biographical data on mayoral candidates, as well as a comprehensive listing of candidates standing in European and London Assembly elections.
Andrew Nye, London Elects' head of communications, said: "When the first elections were held in 2000 for the Mayor of London and the London Assembly, many voters were not familiar with the role of these new institutions. It was also the first time proportional systems of voting had been used for elections in the capital. As a result, many people may not have felt they had sufficient information to cast their vote."
Other elements of the voter education campaign during in the run-up to June 10 will be a London-wide advertising campaign, the launch of a telephone inquiry service for voter queries, and a Mayoral address booklet delivered to all 5.2m voter in London.
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