Poll Code Violations: 4.24 Lac Grievances In ECI’s Complaint Box, 99.9% disposed Off Via Vigil App In 2 Months

Srinagar: In the Lok Sabha polls of 2024, the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) cVIGIL app has proven to be an exceptionally effective tool for the public to report election code violations. Since the announcement of the General Elections 2024, over 4.24 lakh complaints have been received through the app as of May 15, 2024, officials said.
ECI Spokesman said that out of total 4,23,908 complaints have been resolved, with only 409 cases still under process. Impressively, nearly 89% of the complaints were addressed within the 100-minute timeline promised by the ECI, he said. “Citizens have utilized the app to report various electoral malpractices, including the use of loudspeakers beyond prescribed times or noise levels, campaigning during ban periods, placing banners or posters without permission, the deployment of vehicles beyond permitted limits, property defacement, display of firearms, intimidation, and inducements.”
The spokesman said that the cVIGIL app is user-friendly and easy to operate, connecting vigilant citizens with the District Control Room, Returning Officer, and Flying Squad Teams. Through this app, citizens can promptly report incidents of political misconduct without needing to visit the office of the returning officer. Once a complaint is submitted via the app, the complainant receives a unique ID, allowing them to track the status of their complaint on their mobile device. He said that three factors contribute to cVIGIL’s success: real-time capture of audio, photos, or videos; a “100-minute” countdown for a time-bound response to complaints; and automatic geotagging that activates when the user turns on their camera to report a violation. This geotagging feature ensures that flying squads know the precise location of a reported violation, and the images captured can be used as evidence in court. Additionally, citizens can report complaints anonymously. To prevent misuse, the cVIGIL app includes several safeguards, such as geographical restrictions, time constraints on reporting, and mechanisms to filter out duplicate or frivolous complaints. This app is part of a suite of technological tools developed by the ECI to facilitate the election process for voters and political parties. The Election Commission of India’s cVIGIL app has become a crucial tool for reporting election code violations in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. As of May 15, 2024, the app has received over 4.24 lakh complaints, with 4,23,908 resolved and only 409 cases still pending. Nearly 89% of complaints were addressed within the ECI’s promised 100-minute timeline. Citizens have reported various electoral malpractices through the app, such as unauthorized use of loudspeakers, campaigning during banned periods, illegal posters, vehicle misuse, property defacement, intimidation, and inducements. The app’s user-friendly design and geotagging feature enable quick and precise reporting, significantly enhancing transparency and accountability in the election process.