EC sets up complaint redressal mechanism for poll-bound states

The Election Commission on Thursday issued instructions to provide a complaint redressal mechanism in each of the five poll-bound states.

The mechanism will manage written complaints as well as those received through call centres in an integrated way and in a time bound manner, an official announcement said.

Complainants will receive an acknowledgement of their complaint and be informed about the action being taken on it.

In Assam, the complaints will be received through toll free number 1950 and online application Samadhan will be available at district websites.

"Individuals can lodge complaints in physical copies in person/post/fax etc. and can still get SMS or view status of complaints if he or she wishes to," it said.

For Kerala, e-Pariharam has been launched to facilitate filing of complaints online. The URL of website is: http://e-pariharam.kerala.gov.in

In West Bengal, the IT platform is available at http://election.cloudapp.net/wb-samadhan. There is also a mobile App at Google Play Store: SAMADHAN [WEST BENGAL]. The disposal period of complaints is 24 hours in general and half an hour on the day of polling, the statement said.

In Tamil Nadu, apart from paper, phone, e-mails, online modes of complaint receipt, the complaints are also being received through Facebook, Twitter etc. The option for lodging online complaint is available on website of CEO, Tamil Nadu: http://www.elections.tn.gov.in/

In Puducherry, 24x7 helpline call centre is there for online complaints. The Election Commission of India has ensured that through these complaint redressal mechanisms, complaints at all level are properly addressed.