New Delhi, May 18: Since the announcement of the General Elections in 2024, over 4.24 lakh complaints have been received through the cVIGIL app as of May 15, 2024. Of these, 4,23,908 complaints have been resolved, leaving only 409 cases under process, said the Election Commission of India.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the cVIGIL app has proven to be a highly effective tool for citizens to report election code violations. The app has been used to check electoral malpractices such as the use of loudspeakers beyond prescribed times or noise levels, campaigning during prohibited periods, placing banners or posters without permission, deployment of vehicles beyond permitted limits, property defacement, displaying firearms/intimidation, and offering inducements. 89% of complaints were resolved within the 100-minute timeline promised by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
cVIGIL is a user-friendly and easy-to-operate application that connects vigilant citizens with the District Control Room, Returning Officer, and Flying Squad Teams. Citizens can immediately report incidents of political misconduct within minutes without having to visit the office of the Returning Officer. Upon sending a complaint through the cVIGIL app, the complainant receives a unique ID to track the status of their complaint on their mobile device.
According to the ECI, three key factors contribute to the success of cVIGIL: real-time capture of audio, photos, or videos by users; a strict “100-minute” countdown for a time-bound response to complaints; and automatic geo-tagging when the user activates their camera to report a violation.
This geo-tagging feature allows flying squads to pinpoint the exact location of a reported violation, and the captured images can serve 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 for filtering out duplicate or frivolous complaints.
cVIGIL is one of several apps developed by the Election Commission to leverage technology, facilitating both voters and political parties in ensuring fair and free elections.