World e-Democracy Forum

Vote now for the Top 10 who are changing the World of Internet and Politics

PoliticsOnline and the World e-Democracy Forum are proud to announce the list for nominations of the Top 10 Who Are Changing the World of Internet and Politics. For the tenth year in a row, PoliticsOnline subscribers and visitors from around the world are invited to help select the top 10 individuals, organizations and companies having the greatest impact on the way the Internet is changing politics.

This prestigious award seeks to recognize the innovators and pioneers, the dreamers and doers who bring democracy online. This year marked the toughest year ever in choosing the top 25 finalists. The integration of politics and the Internet are reflected in this year's diverse, international nominees.

The winners, those top 10 nominees who receive the most votes, will be invited as honored guests to the World e-Democracy Forum in October, in Issy-les- Moulineaux, (Paris, France), where they'll take part in an awards ceremony and other special programs throughout the two-day forum.

Please review the 25 finalists below and then select one who has had the greatest influence on the world of ePolitics in 2009.

Note: The description of each nominee are listed as submitted.

Vote Now!

Twitter Revolution in Iran: a cliché?

Ten days after the disputed results of presidential elections in Iran, the situation is still unclear. Supporters of outgoing President Ahmadinejad and reformist candidate Moussavi are still demonstrating in the streets. Worldwide, a new name was removed from the experts and geeks' circle: Twitter, the social network of micro-blogging, which has allowed us to be informed in real time about events. A sudden burst in media and politics which raises some questions.

European Elections: 15% of Estonians voters have voted by Internet

Estonia was the only EU country to allow Internet voting for the European Parliament elections, last June 7. Over than 58 000 voters used e-voting, which is 15% of all the people who voted. The e-voting system has been in Estonia under development since 2002 with the final pilot held at the end of 2004. It has been several times presented at the World eDemocracy Forum. In 2005 the system was used for the first time for local government council elections. In 2007, for the first time in the world it was possible in Estonia to vote online also in parliamentary elections.

The election online - some stats

With 43.1% participation in all 27 Member States of the European Union, abstention is the real winner of the election of the new European Parliament. This is the lowest since the Parliament is elected by direct universal suffrage. The European Parliament Communication team, led by Francesca Ratti, had yet innovated a lot for this election campaign.

The 10 Who Are Changing the World of Politics & the Internet

PoliticsOnline and the World eDemocracy Forum are proud to open the call for nominations of the Top 10 Who Are Changing the World of Politics and Technology. For the tenth year in a row, PoliticsOnline subscribers and visitors from around the world will help select the top 10 individuals, organizations and companies having the greatest impact on the way the Internet is changing politics. The winners will be invited as honored guests to the the World eDemocracy Forum on October 2009, in Issy-les-Moulineaux (Paris, France), where they'll take part in an awards ceremony and other special programs throughout the two-day forum.

A free magazine for e-Democracy

Its name is "Modern Democracy" and it was born in Austria, at the initiative of Robert Krimmer, founder of e-Voting.cc. "Our aim," he wrote in his editorial, is to communicate a better understanding in the field of democratic and technological development". "Through the use of modern information and communication technologies, everybody in the world can now become involved" he continues. "Modern Democracy" is downloadable and free.

Voting for the European Parliament is voting also for the European Commission

It does not mean much but the political color of the European Parliament will influence the future European Commission. Indeed, the Commission is designated by the States of the European Union for a five years mandate after the election of the new parliament. The choice of the European Council (Heads of State and Government of the Union) must be approved by the European Parliament. 

The Twitter Election

The electoral campaign for European Parliament elections has been dismal. But, it will remain marked by innovative applications or uses of the European Parliament itself, which he welcomed the efforts of transparency and communication and candidates who, all over Europe, have used Internet to attract voters. The star of this netcampagne is Twitter, informing supporters in real time with short messages.

How our europeans MPs have worked?

It's the question that every citizen should ask before voting. How MEPs, elected five years ago, worked during their mandate? Have they been diligent? Did they comply with the vote of their own party? Have they voted like their national colleagues? A British website, extremely well done, answers these questions in few clicks.

A Sarkozy new look on Facebook

Shirt without tie and wide smile, the new portrait of President Sarkozy on Facebook is deliberately cool and relaxed. According to Franck Louvrier, the President's adviser, we have "to adapt the page to the support". Besides official news, we learn that the President's favorite book is "Red and Black" by Stendhal. To celebrate this new version of the official page of the President, the Elysée publish a video filmed by the weekly magazine "Femme Actuelle" during an interview with Carla Bruni Sarkozy in the Elysee salons.