Mobile apps come to play key role in polls

Hyderabad: Mobile apps are being used extensively in elections for various functions such as improving voting percentage, raising awareness on EVMs and VVPATs and friendly voting. Special apps are also being used to get permissions for election campaigning, checking one's vote in voters list and identifing polling centers and helping specially abled persons to reach polling stations.

Following special apps are being used in the Parliament elections:

e-Suvidha useful for parties, candidates

Election Commission of India has introduced this mobile app to facilitate political parties and candidates to get permissions for conducting election rallies, publicity vehicles, opening of election offices, use of loud speakers, helicopters and helipad permissions. Candidates and political parties can get permissions from the respective returning officer through the application. Returning officers would process their applications and grant permission. However, no objection certificate from police nodal officer would be required for getting permissions for rallies, meetings and public gatherings. District election officer Dana Kishore stated that 789 permissions were grant so far in the Hyderabad district.

C-Vigil app enabling code enforcement

This app introduced for the effective implementation of model code of conduct during election period. Using this app, citizens can report incidents of violation of MCC by uploading pictures and videos through the app. The information would be automatically sent to the respective returning officer and district election officer and a number is sent through SMS to the complainant. The information sent by citizens would be kept confidential. Dana Kishore said that so far they have received 51 such complaints and necessary measures have been taken against the violations.

VAADA app of much use for differently abled

This app has been specially designed by GHMC for improving the participation of differently abled persons in the voting process. Dana Kishore said Voter accessibility app (VAADA) is being used to help differently abled voters to reach their polling centres and return to their homes safely. Special vehicles and volunteers are also being arranged for differently abled voters to cast their votes.

MyGHMC app helps know polling booth

My GHMC app helps to find if voter's name listed in the voter list. This feature is applicable to Hyderabad voters. To fetch voter details, users should go to 'Election Services' option in the app and enter their name or voter ID number.

Similarly, My GHMC has another option through which voter can know the location of his/her polling booth. Users should go to 'Know your polling booth' and enter voter ID number to get the location of polling booth.