An online application launched by the Election Commission to help citizens report model code of conduct violations during the election period has been gaining popularity in Gurugram.
The district election staff has received around a dozen complaints through the app ‘cVIGIL’, which was launched over a week ago.
Two of the complaints were about newspaper advertisements with Holi greetings bearing the pictures of political leaders.
The rest of the complaints were about posters and banners being displayed in violation of the model code. Interestingly, an unemployed youth also sent his picture and curriculum vitae through the app seeking a job.
“Since election-related expenditure of a candidate is calculated only after the filing of their nomination, the two complaints related to Holi greetings were marked as ‘accelerated’, meaning sent for action later. In rest of the cases, the poster and banners were pulled down,” said Deputy Commissioner (Gurugram) Amit Khatri.
Through cVIGIL, denoting Vigilant Citizen, voters can play a proactive role in the conduct of free and fair elections, the poll panel had said at the launch.
The app allows citizens to upload pictures and videos of the violations.
“The uploading of the complaints is monitored round-the-clock at a control room set up in the mini-secretariat. It is a 100-minute process — from filing of the complaint through the app to its resolution by the Returning Officer (RO) or the Assistant Returning Officers,” said Mr. Khatri.
The app only allows photo/video with auto-location capture to ensure digital evidence for ‘flying squads’ to act upon violations in a time-bound manner.
Five flying squads have been constituted for Gurugram district for round-the-clock action on the complaints received through the app and to keep vigil on any violations of the model code of conduct, which remains in force till the time the general election results are announced on May 23.
“As soon as the complaint is received, it is marked to the flying squad concerned. The squad reaches the spot to take action as per law. The Returning Officer or the Assistant Returning Officer finally marks the complaint as disposed of, accelerated or dropped as the case may be,” said Mr. Khatri.
Aam Aadmi Party media in-charge Sudhir Yadav said they have asked their over 10,000 polling station agents across Haryana to download and use the app.
“The application makes it easy to report irregularities without having to rush to the authorities. It is a good initiative,” said Mr. Yadav.
The district election staff expects the complaints through the app to increase as the elections approach.
Haryana goes to polls on May 12.