EC releases C-Vigil app for recording violations during 2019 LS polls

Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a number of mobile applications for conducting the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in a better way and also to provide the voters with a digitised platform to register any violation related to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) or any incident of intimidation or inducement.

For the first time, the ECI is going to use 'C-Vigil' — an Android-based mobile application where the voters or citizens can directly bring to the notice of the election officials incidents of MCC violation, expenditure violation. People no longer need to go to the offices of the Returning Officers if they witness any immoral activities involving the candidates or any other political leaders.

Sanjay Basu, additional CEO, said that 'C-Vigil' app will soon be made operational where various sorts of election-related malpractices can be uploaded by the voters.

If an ordinary citizen from any part of the state witnesses an incident of intimidation or inducement, he/she can upload photos or videos on his mobile application from the spot without any delay. If the complainant desires to remain anonymous, he/she will have an option to do so.

'C-Vigil' is a simple and user-friendly mobile app which will provide time-stamped evidentiary proof of MCC or expenditure violation. The auto-location system that is already installed on the mobile app will help the election officials to mobilise flying squads to the spot. The district control rooms will allocate the app-based related cases to the flying squads through GIS-based platform.

For voters having issues in checking their names in the electoral roll, online forms need to be submitted. They can even check the status of their application and can take help from 'Voter Helpline' mobile app.

If anyone files a complaint, he/she will automatically receive a reply on the mobile app. This application will contain important instructions related to the elections and a voter awareness module. The voters can even download the application from Google Play Store.

Another mobile application called 'PwD App' (Persons with Disabilities) will be of immense help for the disabled who can request for new registration, change in address, change in particulars and mark themselves as persons with disabilities through the use of the mobile application.

The disabled candidates need to enter their contact details and the booth-level officers will be assigned to provide doorstep facility.

Such voters can also make a request for a wheelchair during the polling process by using this mobile app. The application is already available with Google Play store.

Contesting candidates can track the status of their nominations, status of their permission requests by using 'Suvidha Candidate App'.

The candidates can register with the app by using their mobile phone numbers and will be able to keep track of their applications.