With the first phase of the massive seven-phase Lok Sabha elections beginning on Thursday, photo and video-sharing platform Instagram has introduced a civic engagement sticker for its users. The special Instagram sticker can be used by people across the country to share their excitement around the 2019 elections.

The Facebook-owned image-sharing service says the move aims to drive civic engagement on the platform. To be available all through the seven phases starting from April 11 and ending on May 19, 2019, the new sticker can be shared on Instagram Story.

“Across the globe, Instagram connects people with the people and things they love and are passionate about. With a community of over 1 billion users, Instagram is now also a space for positive dialogue around important civic matters and discussions around citizenship, said Tara Bedi, Public Policy and Community Outreach Manager, Instagram India.

“The sticker is an easy and expressive way for our community to share that they voted with their communities,” she added.

Instagram worked with artist Tara Anand to design the sticker for 2019 elections.

Commenting on it, Tara Anand said: “As a young woman who believes in speaking my mind and expressing my beliefs, I’m glad to have gotten this chance to partner with Instagram to encourage people to take part in this democratic process. I wanted to play with the iconic index finger with ink because it is the universal symbol for voting in India. It is a symbol that one is part of a large and important process. I hope the sticker is a fun addition to this process for many other first time voters and everyone else as well.”

How to use special Instagram sticker for 2019 elections

Here is how you can share the special custom Instagram sticker with your posts related to the 2019 elections.

Open the camera

Taking a selfie or any other photo

Tapping the sticker icon

Selecting the sticker from the tray

Post your Instagram Story

Additionally, when a user taps on the sticker, he/she will also be directed to the National Voters Services Portal (electoralsearch.in) that will help voters find their respective polling locations during the different phases of elections.