The Election Commission (EC) has upgraded its cVIGIL app, where decisions pertaining to actions taken in connection with violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and permission for government schemes would be updated immediately. Till now, the commission has received 2,859 complaints in the state through the cVIGIL app, of which 20 are in the process of disposal. Previously, there was no system whereby the actions taken against MCC violations could be made public. The cVIGIL app upgrade will make this possible.

Now, all actions will be updated immediately on the commission’s website, which can be accessed through a link on the c-VIGIL app.

As per the new system, the status of complaints about MCC violation against all state or Central level political leaders will be uploaded within 12 pm. Within 4.00 p.m. the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) will forward recommendations to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and by 6.00 p.m. the latter will upload its decision or the actions that have been taken in connection with the complaints. These actions would be uploaded on the website so that anyone can access the information. The system will come into force from tomorrow onwards, said Mr Sanjay Basu, additional CEO.

READ | How to report model code of conduct violations on ECI cVIGIL app? 

The c-VIGIL has another link to find out the status of the schemes or projects that governments had earlier submitted to the EC for permission. Presently, during poll period, for seeking permission to continue any work or scheme, the state government’s screening committee approaches the EC, but its status is never known. Now, the commission will provide a reference number with which the status can be assessed.

Meanwhile, the notification for the fifth phase of polls that is to be held on 6 May in Bongaon, Uluberia, Serampore, Hooghly, Arambag, Barrackpore and Howrah will be issued on 10 April. The last date for filing nominations is 18 April and the date of scrutiny is 20 April, said Mr Basu. As part of voter awareness campaign the ECI and Indian Railways have come together to utilise four long distance trains to carry voter awareness and motivational messages.

The train displays important contact details for the citizens including the voter helpline number and the national voters’ services portal besides motivational messages urging them to vote. These trains are Kerala Express (New Delhi to Trivandrum), Himsagar Express (Jammu to Kanyakumari), Howrah Express (Ahmedabad to Kolkata) and Kamakhya Express (Okha to Guwahati).