The Election Commission of India is the apex body for conducting elections to the Union Parliament, state legislatures as well as the offices of the President and Vice-President. The commission has already announced the polling schedule for elections to the four states – Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala – and the union territory of Puducherry.
The ECI has taken a number of initiatives to improve the citizens’ voting experience in the forthcoming elections and inch closer to its target of achieving 100% voter turnout.
The Election Commission is going to deploy ‘digital eyes’ for live surveillance of sensitive polling booths in West Bengal during the assembly polls in April. As many as 14,000 pockets of the state have been found vulnerable. The commission will install video cameras in order to monitor all those who are entering the booth and standing at the gates. Besides, there will be political observers and central armed forces, too.
The Election Commission of India has also launched a series of mobile apps and online initiatives which can be used by candidates, political parties and voters to facilitate the electoral process.
Samadhan is a public grievance redressal system that takes complaints online as well as through its toll free number 1950, SMS, mobile app, fax, post and email. All complaints will be processed online.
Suvidha is a single window system for candidates and political parties to get permissions for conducting meetings, rallies, etc. The ECI has issued directions to give permissions within 24 hours of candidates/parties making the request.
Sugam is a vehicle management system that helps in issuing and tracking requisition of vehicles in use for election and campaigning purposes. It acquires vehicle details along with address, mobile numbers and bank details of owner and driver. It also tracks vehicles moving from one district to another for official use. There is an Android app for this.