LOK SABHA ELECTIONS 2019: cVIGIL MOBILE APP TO PROVE BENEFICIAL TO CHECK VIOLATIONS OF MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT

Ludhiana, March 26, 2019: To track violations of the model code of conduct and election expenditure, the Election Commission of India has taken the app route for encouraging citizens to lend a helping hand to poll officials in curbing electoral malpractices. District Election Officer Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal on Monday informed that the cVIGIL mobile app has been launched by the ECI for keeping tabs on those violating the poll code and expenditure limit. On this mobile app, residents can upload photographs and videos on what they deem to be violations of poll code from the spot with location-based details. Mr Agrawal informed that the cVIGIL App gives people an opportunity to click pictures and take videos of poll code violations and send it to election officers concerned. The App can find the exact location of the complaint. He further informed that residents can upload a photograph or a two-minute video on the App. He said that within 20 minutes after the registration of the complaint, the team concerned would reach the location and efforts would be made to redress the complaint within 100-minutes. He stated that the cVIGIL App provides time-stamped, evidence based proof of the Model Code of Conduct / Expenditure Violation, having live photo/video with auto location data. Any citizen can lodge a complaint through the Mobile App. Flying Squads then investigate the matter and the Returning Officer takes the decision. The status of cVIGIL can be shared with the cVIGIL complainant within a specified time limit. Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal urged the voters of Ludhiana to use this mobile application in large numbers so that the number of violations of Model Code of Conduct can be checked. This mobile app is available in both Android based as well as iOS (iphone) based mobile phones.