Streamlining Electoral Processes: A Technological Perspective

In today’s democratic landscape, the fusion of technology has brought about a profound change in the electoral process. This blog delves into the cutting-edge IT applications being employed by the ECI in the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha election, aiming to revolutionize election management. Explore how these digital tools are redefining citizen participation and transparency, enhancing efficiency, and accessibility in the democratic realm.

cVIGIL App: It enables citizens to report Model Code of Conduct violations with time-stamped evidence through photos or videos on their smartphones. Utilizing GIS technology, its auto-location feature ensures accurate information for prompt action by authorities, providing status reports within 100 minutes. Available on Google Play and Apple App Store.

Suvidha Portal: The portal streamlines various services for candidates and political parties during elections. It offers online nomination facilities, allowing candidates to fill nomination forms, deposit security amounts, and check time slot availability. Additionally, it provides a permissions module for applying online for meetings, rallies, etc. So far, Suvidha portal has received 73,000 applications for campaign-related activities.¹ Link – https://suvidha.eci.gov.in/pc/public/login

Candidate Affidavit Portal: The Portal is a website enabling citizens, political parties, and media organizations to access the comprehensive list of candidates who have applied for elections. As the Returning Officer inputs data, complete candidate profiles, including photos and affidavits, become publicly accessible. The portal, accessible via https://affidavit.eci.gov.in, offers a transparent view of contesting candidates, their profiles, nomination statuses, and affidavits. Link – https://affidavit.eci.gov.in/

Know Your Candidate (KYC): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has created a specialized app, Know Your Candidate (KYC), accessible on Android and iOS devices. It provides information on candidates’ “Criminal Antecedents” status, enabling citizens to review candidates’ backgrounds. This empowers voters with crucial insights into candidates’ criminal records.

The Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot Management System (ETPBMS): It is an upgraded version of ETPBS with enhanced features and reporting modules. It electronically generates and transmits postal ballots to service voters, integrated with the Department of Post for free speed post return. Instructions accompany ballots, and on counting day, the system verifies received ballots. Envelopes for returning ETPBs are now provided directly to service voters, streamlining the process.

Voter Turnout App: This will showcase estimated provisional voter turnout for every assembly and parliamentary constituency, as reported by Returning Officers. Media outlets can also utilize the app to capture these estimations. It will present approximate turnout data for each election phase. The app is downloadable on the Google Play and Apple App Store platforms.

ENCORE Portal: It serves as a comprehensive platform for election officials, facilitating various tasks across multiple modules. It streamlines candidate nomination processes, including uploading affidavits and handling multiple nominations. Additionally, it manages candidate scrutiny, withdrawal marking, and form generation. The permission module handles requests from candidates and political parties. For election counting, it digitizes votes and prepares statutory reports. The portal also features an index card for detailed election data and an expenditure monitoring module for DEOs to input scrutiny reports.

ECI Results website: The prompt dissemination of round-wise information is crucial for ensuring a reliable data source. Counting data entered by Returning Officers is accessible to the public via the ‘Trends and Results’ section on the ECI Results website (https://results.eci.gov.in/). The website has been enhanced with features such as map views for improved user experience, and results are presented using infographics. Trends TV displays results with auto-scroll panels in public spaces, while the VHA mobile app also provides access to trends and results.

EVM Management System (EMS 2.0): It is tailored for the oversight of EVM inventory. A critical aspect ensuring fairness and transparency is the administrative protocol involving two sets of randomizations before deployment at polling stations. These randomizations, conducted through EMS 2.0, occur in the presence of recognized political parties, contesting candidates, representatives, and ECI Observers.

Voter Service Portal: Portal offers a range of services, including access to the electoral list, application for a voter ID card, online correction of voter card details, and viewing information on polling booths, assembly constituencies, and parliamentary constituencies. Users can also find contact details for Booth Level Officers and Electoral Registration Officers.

The Voter Helpline Mobile App (VHA): The App provides citizens with various services such as applying for a voter ID card, online correction of voter card details, and accessing information on polling booths, assembly constituencies, and parliamentary constituencies. It also offers contact details for Booth Level Officers and Electoral Registration Officers. The app is available on both the Google Play store and Apple App Store.

Saksham App: The Persons with Disability (PwD) Application is designed for individuals with disabilities. It allows PwD electors to request marking as PwD, new registration, migration, correction in EPIC details, and wheelchair assistance. The app utilizes accessibility features on mobile phones for voters with blindness and hearing disabilities. It can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

National Grievance Service Portal (NGSP): The Election Commission has introduced the National Grievance Service Portal (NGSP), designed to address grievances from Citizens, Electors, Political Parties, Candidates, Media, and Election Officials at National, State, and District levels. This system not only facilitates redressal of complaints but also functions as a unified platform for service delivery. With a single interface, the application streamlines complaint handling for Election officials, incorporating Electoral Officers, District Election Officers, CEO, and ECI Officials. Upon registration, issues are promptly directed to the respective user. Citizens can access this service via https://www.eci.gov.in/ngsp.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a suite of digital tools and platforms aimed at modernizing and streamlining various facets of the electoral process in the country. The BLO App, formerly known as GARUDA App, serves Booth Level Officers (BLOs) with features including checklist verification and data collection. ERONET facilitates registration and form handling in multiple languages, while UNPER acts as a national electoral roll database. ESMS digitizes data on seized items to enhance election monitoring, and IEMS ensures real-time compliance for political parties regarding contributions and expenditure. The Election Planning Portal aids CEOs and planning divisions in election management, and the Media Voucher Online initiative digitizes vouchers for sustainability. The Observer Portal streamlines data management for various observer types. These initiatives underscore the ECI’s commitment to modernization and eco-friendly practices in electoral administration.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, integration of advanced technology, including citizen reporting apps like cVIGIL and comprehensive platforms like ENCORE, enhances transparency, efficiency, and accessibility. Digital solutions such as NGSP and ESMS address grievances and monitor elections, ensuring fairness and integrity in the electoral process. These advancements reflect the ECI’s dedication to fostering a robust and inclusive democratic framework.

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