In the run up to Tamil Nadu elections that recorded and unprecedented 85% polling, a sixteen year old Chennai boy Kapil Bhaskar trended for creating a website that helped voters giving details of all candidates in a nutshell, including criminal records, assets and educational qualifications. 

More than four thousand candidates are contesting across the state, clocking an average of 17 candidates in each constituency. Though the Election Commission has shared their affidavits,  one would have to go through hundreds of pages of their affidavits  to get to know their details. Kapil has given these key details available in a few words at www.neeyosi.com . “I used AI to study all affidavits given by the election commission to get these details so one can get them just by clicking each candidate”, he says.

Kapil is overwhelmed by the response. More than 70000 users visited his page to check their candidates before elections. He feels, voters ought to be given more details, particularly  “the track record of these candidates including their promises and delivery”. On the reach of his website he adds “It was supposed to be a minor project but I never imagined this would reach and influence so many people”.

Neeyosi has struck a chord with young first time voters. Sathish, a fresh from college techie in Chennai says “I loved it. The site is very Gen Z like. Crisp and quick to get to know about my candidates. It was fun to check on them and to decide”. Jaishree a HR professional in the city says “It ignited in us an interest to know about the candidates, and I chose my candidate scanning through  this site”.

Nee Yosi means “you think” in Tamil and Kapil developed the website himself spending around 1500 rupees.  His parents he says were very supportive. Kapil who would get to vote in two years wants to continue his passion for transparency in elections and his technical skills for a greater public good.