CHENNAI: With almost a quarter of the electorate being ‘youth’, can the Election Commission (EC) fall far behind? Adapting to the changing times, the EC has decided to provide a separate number to which people can send complaints.
Speaking to Express, Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni said WhatsApp would be useful to send complaints along with photo or video evidence. The number is 9444123456, which was earlier allotted for receiving complaints as SMS.
This number, to be effective from Monday, would be valid throughout the State. Soon, separate WhatsApp numbers would be given to all the 32 districts, Lakhoni added.
“People can register their grievances by calling the toll-free helpline 1950 and by sending an SMS to this number. They can use the online facility at www.elections.tn.gov.in. There is a media PRO at the CEO’s office to monitor the complaints. Also a special software is in place to take care of the complaints sent to social media,” Lakhoni said.
Asked about the action against political parties and politicians who indulge in personal attacks through social media like Twitter and Facebook, Lakhoni said such issues were being monitored by a Microsoft software.
However, activities in WhatsApp could not be monitored for technical reasons. “As per the model code of conduct, parties and candidates should refrain from criticising aspects of private life not connected with the public domain of leaders or workers of other parties,” Lakhoni added.
He said 106 complaints of code violation were reported within a day of poll date announcement.