Ernakulam receives 155 election-related complaints via cVigil

Kochi: Election officials have received 155 complaints through cVigil , a mobile app designed by the Election Commission to help voters register complaints related to the conduct of Lok Sabha polls, in Ernakulam from March 10 till 21.

Most of the complaints were on defacement of walls, use of loudspeakers beyond the permitted time, transfer and postings of officials.

“Most of the complaints were related to defacement of walls on private as well as public property without the consent of owners. Use of flex boards and banners made of plastics were some other complaints. We will be taking steps to address them,” said an election official.

District collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla said that better facilities would be arranged in all polling booths in Ernakulam. Toilet facility, electricity, separate entry and exit will be ensured in all booths.

Call centre functioning at the collectorate has been receiving around 50 calls per day from voters, said the collector

To increase voting percentage in Ernakulam, awareness programmes by election officials are being held.

Systematic voters’ education and electoral participation (SVEP), an awareness programme for promoting voter literacy, has been conducted in major colleges, Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd, Cusat, BPCL Kochi Refinery, Infopark and other institutions.

Safirulla said that it has come to his notice that some religious institutions in the district have been used as venue for political campaign, which is a violation of the model code of conduct. Action would be taken against political parties, candidates and management officials of religious institutions for violating the poll code of conduct, he said.

Meanwhile, an awareness class was held for residents’ associations at Vypeen, Muvattupuzha, Palluruthy, Tripunithura and North Paravur areas.