EC launches app to report electoral malpractice

EC launches app to report electoral malpractice

News:

1. Recently, the Election Commission of India has launched an Android- based mobile application named ‘cVigil’.

Important facts:

2. The application was launched for citizens to share cases of malpractices of political parties when the Model code of conduct is in force.

3. The application, whose Beta version has now been released, will be made available for use during the four State Assembly elections scheduled for later this year.

4. For using this application, EC officials will be trained.

5. The application will be advantageous in the following manner:

• It will facilitate sharing of geo-tagged photographic and video evidence without disclosing the identity of the sender.
• The uploaded information will be transmitted to the control room, and from there the field units or flying squads, mapped on a Geographical Information System will be alerted for further action.
• In case the complaint does not opt for anonymity, the person will also receive an action-taken report within about 100 minutes.

6. Apart from the above application, EC also launched a voter education and electoral participation portal, dedicated to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

7. The mobile application was launched on the sideline of national consultation programme on “Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the Electoral Process.”

Important terminology related to this article:

8. Model Code of Conduct(MOC):

• MOC is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for conduct of political parties and candidates during elections.
• It is mainly with respect to speeches, polling day, polling booths, election manifestos, processions and general conduct.
• The Model Code of Conduct comes into force immediately on announcement of the election schedule by the commission to ensure free and fair election