An election control room opened in the district to receive complaints about the violation of the mode code of conduct and handle voter helpline services is different from similar facilities in other districts.

It is manned by an all-women team, which officials claim, is the only such centre in the State. A five-member women team at the Collectorate handles the complaints about model code violations sent via cVIGIL app and landline numbers (04994 255825, 04994 255676) and the voter helpline (1950) services.

As on Tuesday, the control room received 32 complaints sent through the cVIGIL app of the Election Commission. The complaints are mostly related to display of posters, banners, and flags.

The control room is run by junior superintendents C.G. Shyamala and Indu M. Das, nodal officers appointed by the District Collector, who is also the District Election Officer. They are assisted by staff members Sheeja A., Namitha A., and Sajitha P.A.

Complaints

The control room hands over the complaints, including video clips, sent through the app to squads in the Assembly segment concerned. After the squads act on the complaints, the control room passes on information of the action taken to the complainant.

The spot where the violation is reported can be located using geographic information system.

The complainant receives a unique ID after uploading his/her complaint using the app. The ID allows the complainant to track the follow-up on the complaint using his/her mobile phone. The anonymity of the complainant will be ensured, a release said.

The cVIGIL app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. The release said the voter helpline number 1950 had so far received over 175 calls.