UK citizens now have one less excuse for not voting, with a new election reminder service threatening to kick the old "Oh, that was today- I forgot" excuse directly to the curb. The Electoral Commission's New Initiatives Fund and e-democracy company Delib kicked in some quid to launch the "Election Alarm Clock" pilot program, an opt-in service running through May that notifies participants of elections, impending registration deadlines, and absentee ballot cut-off dates through a series of emails and text messages. In order to generate buzz, the sponsors of the program are giving away a free iPod shuffle as well as publicizing a semi-addictive Flash game that involves pushing an elephant on roller skates down a ramp and going for maximum airtime before the inevitable crash. While this is certainly a great first step in motivating people to vote, an even better way to "remind" them might be to send habitual non-voters on short "vacations" to oppressive non-democratic countries, where the lack of basic rights and freedoms should serve as an even greater kick in the pants than a friendly SMS.

[Via textually and eGov monitor]