Election officials urge Telangana residents to use cVIGIL app, expose poll-code violations
The user-friendly app also has provisions for election officials to monitor the complaints received from citizens regarding MCC violations
By Sulogna Mehta Published on 21 Oct 2023 4:00 AM GMT
Hyderabad: Chief electoral officer (CEO) Vikas Raj urged voters to use the cVIGIL app and the Election Complaints Monitoring Cell to report any violations of the model code of conduct (MCC) and election expenditure. The election code across the state is in effect in light of the Telangana State Legislative elections on November 30.
The cVIGIL app was first launched in 2018 by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to enable the public to report any violations of the MCC and illegal spending taking place during the elections. As its name says, cVIGIL stands for Vigilant Citizen and focuses on the proactive and responsible role that citizens can play to make the election process free and fair.
The user-friendly app also has provisions for election officials to monitor the complaints received from citizens regarding MCC violations and their disposal status assembly/constituency-wise by the CEO and district election officers (DEOs). However, the app is not meant for lodging personal grievances.
Earlier this month, during his visit to Hyderabad, during a press conference, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar emphasised the importance of the cVIGIL app in curbing the illegal use of money and freebies during the elections. He also explained how the app works.
How the app works
To make use of the cVIGIL app, one needs to first download the Android app onto the phone. Then, the person can take a picture or upload a two-minute video of violations of the election code they wish to report. The violations can include distribution of liquor, money or freebies to voters.
The individual can upload a photo/video with a brief description of the incident. Uploading of old images and videos is not allowed to prevent its misuse. The location of the sender will automatically be mapped from the GIS coordinates, and the complaint will be received by the District Control Room.
In a short time (around 100 minutes), the complaint will be verified but the identity of the complainant will be kept confidential. The complainant will receive a Unique ID to track and receive updates on the complaint. The officials will verify the genuineness of the complaint and the complainant will be informed about the action that will taken on the complaint.
The EC officials encouraged everyone to download and use the cVIGIL app as it will greatly help in curbing the use of money power and malpractices during the elections.
Summary of seizures in poll-bound Telangana
The seizures made by various enforcement agencies based on MCC violations from the date it came into effect i.e. from October 9 to October 19, 2023.
Total cash seizure: Rs 87,92,49, 540.
Total liquor seizure: Rs 10, 21, 19, 950
Total drugs/narcotics seizure: Rs 7,72, 97,130
Total precious metals (Gold, silver, platinum and diamond) seizure: Rs 1,20,40,71, 205
Total freebies seizure (vehicles, electronic gadgets, utensils, rice, sarees etc.): Rs 17,48,81,471
Total cumulative seizures in Rupees: Rs 2,43,76,19,296
