Comm. tech and apps the EC will be using in the 2019 elections

Dimapur, April 3 (EMN): The Election Commission of India (EC) has integrated the use of technology into various election processes for effective conduct of the forthcoming elections. For the 2019 elections, a wide array of technological mediums and information and communication tools will be used by the election establishment. The media cell of the CEO issued a press release on Wednesday listing out a number of apps that the establishment will be using during the elections for citizens, candidates and political parties. cVigil Through the cVigil, citizens can record events of any violation of the Model Code of Conduct, any incident of intimidation or inducement etc., with their android mobile and report it promptly to election authorities within minutes of having witnessed them and without having to go to the office of the returning officer. The app is a simple, Android-based mobile app which is user-friendly and easy to operate. All that one has to do is to simply click a picture or to take a video and briefly describe the activity before uploading it on the cVigil mobile application. If the complainant desires to remain anonymous he has the option to do so. cVigil provides time-stamped evidentiary proof of the Model Code of Conduct / Expenditure Violation, having live photo/video with auto location data. The district control room allocates cVigil cases to flying squads etc. through GIS-based platform. Flying Squads investigate the matter and the Returning Officer takes the decision. The status of cVigil is shared with the cVigil complainant within 100 minutes. Voter helpline mobile app The app provides convenience to citizens in finding names in the electoral roll, submitting online forms, checking the status of the application, filing complaints and receiving the reply on their mobile app. All forms, results, candidate affidavit, press notes, Voter awareness and important instructions are available through the mobile app. This popular app is available at Google Play Store. PwD app Eligible citizens / citizens in the category of Persons with Disability (PwD) can request for new registration, change in address, change in particulars and mark themselves as PwD through the use of the mobile application. By simply entering their contact details, the booth level officer is assigned to provide doorstep facility. PwD can also request for a wheelchair during polling. The app is available at Google Play Store here. Suvidha candidate app Contesting candidates can log on to the website suvidha.eci.gov.in and request for permissions. Upon successful registration, an Android based mobile app is available for tracking the status of nomination, status of their permission requests. The candidates will be able to download the application from Google Play store and with their registered mobile number will be able to log on and keep track of their applications. Samadhan The EC has designed a single integrated web portal for registering and resolving citizen Information, suggestion, feedback and complaints (IFSC). The website can be accessed at eci-citizenservices.eci.nic.in. The universal portal is available for election as well as non-election period. Any citizen can also use the facility from the convenience of their mobile phone to lodge a grievance using ‘voter helpline’ mobile app. Supervising election officials and EC officials are connected to the Samadhan portal and the complaint lodged in the Samadhan connects directly to the officer in concern. There is an escalation matrix configured into the system and if within a time frame the matter is not addressed by election retuning officer, it gets escalated to the next levels, the updates from the CEO stated. Voter helpline contact centre Now a citizen can call universal toll-free helpline number of the commission i.e., 1950 to connect directly to district contact centres. All district and CEO Offices across the states / union territories have established contact centres to provide Information and register feedback, suggestion and complaints, the CEO’s establishment stated. Users can call ‘1950’ and obtain information about their voter details in the electoral roll, check for the status of his enrolment application and also lodge grievances.