Ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the Election Commission of India (ECI) launched ‘Know Your Candidate’ (KYC) and ‘cVIGIL’ mobile applications for making the voting experience better and convenient. Through the KYC application, the voter could know about the details of the candidates while the cVIGIL app would enable the citizens to report violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by the candidates during the elections. These applications have been introduced to tackle the challenges that the ECI would be facing during the elections. The major challenges are the four M’s, i.e., Muscle, Money, Misinformation, and MCC violations.
KYC App
The KYC application is available for both Android and iOS platforms. This app could be downloaded from Google Play Store and Apple Store and the link is also available on the EC’s website. The main aim of this mobile app is to acquaint the voters about the background of the candidates, representing them in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. This initiative emphasises on the importance of informed voting as the voters would be able to make well-informed decisions during the polling.
Through the KYC app, the voters have the right to get information about the criminal records of the candidates from their constituencies as well as their assets and liabilities. This allows the citizens to browse candidates with or without criminal antecedents. Candidates are required to disclose their criminal records in newspapers and on television three times. Further, it is the duty of the political parties which are nominating such candidates to explain their selection over other deserving candidates. It is the duty of the returning officers (RO) to ensure that the right documents are uploaded on the app and scanned document submitted by the candidate is uploaded in Encore offline nomination. The RO further has to reverify and ensure the details submitted by the candidate.
The KYC app serves as an invaluable tool for voters to examine carefully the criminal records, if there are any of the contesting candidates. By providing awareness about the criminal cases against the candidates, their status, and the nature of crimes, the app would assist voters to choose their representatives wisely.
cVIGIL App
Mobile application ‘cVIGIL’ stands for ‘vigilant citizen’ and enables citizens to report violations of the MCC during the 2024 Elections. This app is available for download on Android and iOS devices. Using an anonymous profile or by logging in with the name, the citizens register their complaint about any particular candidate by granting permission to access their phone’s camera and storage. Citizens could further register their complaint through cVIGIL website. The app has built-in features for preventing misuse and has been designed strictly for reporting MCC violations. The app has become active from the date of notification of the General Elections 2024.
For reporting violations of the MCC during elections, users could capture a photo or record a two-minute video of the violation and upload it to the cVIGIL app. The app would use the GPS to trace the location automatically. Once the violation is submitted, the user would receive a unique ID in their phone. This ID would help them in tracking and following-up on their complaint status. The user could also report many incidents following the same manner.
Once a complaint is raised, the information would reach the District Control Room. It is then assigned to a field unit. The field unit comprises a flying squad and surveillance teams. These units use a mobile app called ‘cVIGIL Investigator’ for navigating to the location and taking necessary action.
Once the field unit responds to the complaint, they would send a field report through the cVIGIL Investigator app to the RO. Once the complaint is verified and forwarded to the EC’s National Grievance Portal, the citizen is informed of the status within 100 minutes.
This app has won accolades for its ease of use, authenticity, and maintenance of user secrecy. Since the announcement of the 2024 General Elections, there has been an increase in the number of MCC violation cases reported. This app serves as a platform for the citizens to participate in the electoral process.
Other Apps Introduced by the ECI
Along with KYC and cVIGIL app, the ECI has also introduced other apps such as the Voter Helpline app and the Saksham app. The Voter Helpline app allows users to add, modify, or delete names in the voter list, link their voter IDs to Aadhar, search for names in the voter list, access polling station details, and download e-Epic (electronic electoral photo identity card. It enables voters to obtain their voter IDs and make necessary amendments from the comfort of their homes.
On the other hand, the Saksham app is designed to assist specially-abled citizens. It enables them to register, make amendments, apply for wheelchairs, search for their names in the voter list, and obtain booth information. More than 40 per cent of handicapped voters (or persons with disabilities (PWDs) will have the option to vote from home after applying.
Cases Reported through cVIGIL
According to the ECI, till March 2024, since the date of announcement of the General Elections 2024, over 79,000 complaints MCC violations have been received through the cVIGIL app. Over 99 per cent of the complaints have been resolved within 100 minutes. About 58,500 complaints have been against illegal hoardings and banners. Nearly 1,400 complaints have been received regarding money, gifts, and liquor distribution. As good as 2,454 complaints were pertaining to defacement of property. For campaigning beyond the prohibited period including the use of speakers beyond permitted time, there were around 1,000 complaints. There were close to 535 complaints received for display of firearms and intimidation.
The cVIGIL app is an essential element of the EC of India for ensuring clean, free, and fair elections. It has become a trusted platform for citizens and would continue to play an important role in strengthening the electoral process in India.
Conclusion
To conclude, these apps emphasise the EC’s commitment to leveraging technology for transparent and inducement-free polling in the Lok Sabha election. These apps have been launched to facilitate this endeavour. Along with these apps, additional measures such as mandatory publication of candidate details in newspapers and transparency in the electronic voting machine (EVM) randomisation and booth lists aim to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
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