Democracy + social media = E-democracy @SDCelects

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has launched a new local democracy twitter account in preparation for the 2012 local elections.

@SDCelects is a new communication channel for those who want to keep right up-to-date with election news in the District.  The account launched today, Tuesday 27 March with the official Notice of Election being called.

Darren Whitney, Democratic Services Managers says: “Communication is vital and the traditional landscape is changing radically and the District Council needs to keep up with these technological advances reaching out to new audiences.  The District Council elections team is always keen to try out new ways of working, from Government election pilots with electronic voting and counting having a presence on Twitter is a natural progression."

District, Town and Parish elections all take place on Thursday 3 May this year and in November the Police and Crime Commissioners Elections will take place.

The District Council already has a presence on Twitter (@StratfordDC with 2,257 followers) Youtube, Flickr and Facebook with 316 'friends'.  At the beginning of the year the District Council's Chief Executive, Paul Lankester joined twitter @SDCchiefExec.

Stratford District Council Twitter accounts:

• www.twitter.com/StratfordDC
• www.twitter.com/SDCChiefExec
• www.twitter.com/SDCelects