The Election Commission of India has taken the app route to track violations of the model code of conduct and election expenditure, encouraging citizens to lend a helping hand to poll officials in curbing electoral malpractices.

The app, cVIGIL, launched by the EC for keeping tabs on those violating the poll code and expenditure limit. The app is available on Google Play store. On the app, citizens can upload photographs and videos on what they deem to be violations of poll code from the spot with location-based details.

To respond to app-based complaints, a control room has been set up at the Deputy Commissioner’s office here. The details — photographs or videos — of the violation lands at the control room the moment they are uploaded on the app.

The citizen’s complaint is assigned to a flying squad team in the area, and it is expected to reach the spot within 15 minutes from the time of receipt of the complaint.

After a preliminary inquiry by the team, a report is forwarded to the respective assistant returning officer (ARO) through the cVIGIL investigator app. On the ARO’s response, the complainant will receive a message.

Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Abhiram G. Sankar said he had constituted a cVIGIL monitoring team headed by an officer and having six members to assist him or her. If the complaint received through the app is found to be spot on, action will be taken within 100 minutes.

So far, 27 complaints have been received from the public through the app, which became active from when the general elections were announced.