The Election Commission on Tuesday launched an Android-based mobile application called “Cvigil” for people to report violations of the model code of conduct during elections.
Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat said the poll panel has launched the app as there have been instances when vested interests have misled surveillance teams.
“It will be operational only where elections are announced,” the commission said in a statement. “However, the beta version of the app will be made available for the public and election staff to download so that they can acquaint themselves with its features and also try sending dummy data.”
The app allows voters to send geo-tagged videos and photos of poll code violations they witness during elections.
It was tested on a pilot basis in Bengaluru during the Karnataka Assembly elections, and will be in use during the upcoming polls in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram.
The poll panel said it would “hide the complainant’s phone number and identity so as to encourage information against influential people without any risk of subsequent possible backlash.” Those who do not hide their identity will receive a response from the Election Commission on the action taken after their complaint.
