Using app, citizens file 23,362 complaints of poll-code violations in state

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Election Commission said that it has received over 23,362 complaints regarding the violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) through cVIGIL app out of which 13,959 were complaints regarding installing of illegal posters and banners representing political parties ahead of elections.

"Because of the efficacy of cVIGIL, there is substantial reduction in illegal hoardings, defacement of property, campaigning beyond permissible time, deployment of vehicles beyond permitted ones," ECI said.

According to sources from the EC, among the complaints, at least 191 complaints were raised in connection with distributing freebies while 113 alleged distribution of coupons.

Around 129 complaints claimed distribution of free alcohol at several locations across the state.

So far the EC has taken action on about 22,045 complaints, officials from the state election commission said in a notification.

Apart from this, the EC also received 860 complaints including 183 through e-mail, 568 complaints through letters and 53 through various social media platforms.

cVIGIL is a user-friendly and easy-to-operate application, which connects vigilant citizens with the District Control Room, Returning Officer and Flying Squads Teams (FST).

By using this app, the citizens can immediately report on incidents of political misconduct within minutes and without having to rush to the office of the returning officer.

As soon as the complaint is sent on the cVigil app, the complainant will receive a unique ID through which the person will be able to track the complaint on their mobile.

The MCC came into effect on March 16, 2024 when the polling schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were announced by the ECI.

In an effort to maintain transparency during the electoral period, the ECI decided to share the steps taken by the Commission to enforce the MCC.

Complaints received in Bengaluru

'The 24/7 Control Room and Complaint Monitoring Centres in Bengaluru have received 3,314 complaints through the app until 2:30 pm on Tuesday, a notification from the EC said.

However the EC officials dropped 109 complaints and classified 3,204 complaints as genuine and took necessary action on them.

The Central district reported 399 violations while 248 complaints were reported from the North.

The South centre reported 276 violation complaints and the Bengaluru Urban topped the report with 2281 complaints.

Total amount seized in Bengaluru so far

The FST officers along with the EC officials said that the total seizure amount stood at Rs 41,40,54266 as on Tuesday afternoon and at least 3996 FIRs have been filed in connection with the MCC violations since March 16.