Ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched a "cVIGIL" mobile application in order to create a channel for people to report violations of the Model Code of Conduct by candidates and parties.

Assuring that complaints related to the MCC submitted through the app will be addressed swiftly, Chief Electoral Officer of Rajasthan, Praveen Gupta, said that resolutions will be reached within 100 minutes.

The "cVIGIL" (Citizen Vigilance) app empowers the general public to take prompt action against violations of the Model Code of Conduct in the forthcoming assembly elections, Gupta said.

The Chief Electoral Officer noted that, until now, addressing complaints of Model Code of Conduct violations had often been hindered by the lack of substantial evidence. However, with the introduction of this app, it will be feasible to take action within the stipulated time frame for complaints received through the fast-track complaint receipt and resolution system.

Gupta explained that the "cVIGIL" app is accessible for download on Android smartphones, and its usage is limited to states currently undergoing election processes. A camera, good internet connection and GPS access are essential for its usage.

He encouraged individuals to capture photographs or create brief 2-minute videos depicting activities that break the Model Code of Conduct. The app only allows live photos/videos with auto location capture from within the app to ensure digital evidence for flying squads to act upon in a time-bound manner, their website says.

"cVIGIL" offers a platform for any concerned citizen to report such breaches. The general public can relay information about instances of misconduct using this application.

Assembly polls in Rajasthan are scheduled for November 23, with the vote count set for December 3. For a full look at the schedule, check here.