straits times general election ST launches General Election 2011 website today

A ONE-STOP online portal dedicated to the upcoming General Election (GE), with breaking news and the latest photos and videos, is being launched by The Straits Times today.

The site at www.straitstimes.com/ge2011 provides a comprehensive range of information that voters can use, including an interactive electoral map which shows them the political parties contesting in their respective constituencies.

Explaining the reason for the new venture, ST editor Han Fook Kwang said: 'The election is probably the biggest local story of the year, and we aim to serve our readers in the best possible way we can, both in the paper and online.'

He added: 'Online, we want to deliver the news fast, as it breaks, and with the trademark Straits Times quality for accuracy and reliability.'

The list of features is long, but one highlight is the extensive multimedia coverage, with photo galleries and video coverage of events in the run-up to Nomination Day, and then of the rallies leading to Polling Day.

For instance, expect swift uploads of videos showing the unveiling of new candidates and of politicians at the hustings. Said Mr Han: 'We intend to make full use of our video capability, so readers can see and hear for themselves how the candidates perform and handle themselves.'