Online complaint cell planned for Bengal polls
By IANSWednesday, February 23, 2011
KOLKATA - In a never before initiative, the Election Commission plans to introduce an online grievance redressal and inquiry system during the ensuing assembly polls in West Bengal, an official Wednesday said.
“A toll free number will be issued from the office of the state chief electoral officer (CEO). Voters can send text messages (SMS) on that number, to convey their grievances or to clarify their doubts,” said Additional Chief Electoral Officer N.K. Sahana.
“The text messages will be received in the CEO’s server, from where it will be redirected to the call centres in the respective district. Also, a docket number will be issued for every SMS received by the CEO’s office,” said Sahana.
“Till last year, we had a manual system for grievance redressal and a call centre named Ananda Babu where people could call and complain. But it was lengthy and time-consuming,” said Sahana.
“In the new system, people will get replies quickly. It will also help them to seek explanation from the commission at the earliest,” said Sahana.
The plan to develop an SMS-based grievance redressal and inquiry system was first devised by the IT department of the CEO’s office. Later, it was finalised after they had a meeting with Election Commission officials in Delhi, he said.
