EC unveils 'mother of all apps' ahead of Bihar polls: What is ECI net?

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar says votes will be counted on November 14.

While announcing the dates for the two-phase Bihar assembly election on Monday, the Election Commission introduced a one-stop digital platform for real-time voter turnout updates. Bihar will serve as the pilot state for this ambitious project.

It is aimed to be a single-window digital ecosystem for all stakeholders from Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs).

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said voters are advised to first check their names in the electoral roll, as any omissions can be corrected up to ten days before the nomination process. "They should also verify their polling station details through ECI Net or consult their booth-level officers...If any voter downloads ECINet and enters their EPIC number (Voter ID number), they can get in touch with their BLOs...” said Kumar while addressing a press conference in New Delhi.

What is the ECINET app?

The CEC called the ECI net "mother of all apps". This platform aims to enhance transparency and efficiency, starting with the Bihar Assembly elections. It also consolidates existing digital tools used for election monitoring, voter management, communication, and reporting.

Presiding officers can now upload turnout data on the ECINET app every two hours on polling day to reduce the time lag in updating data. Of the state's 243 seats, 121 will vote in the first phase and the rest in the second.

The platform can merge more than 40 existing EC apps into one seamless interface. It can also track voter registration, polling arrangements, and counting status. It integrates with the 1950 Voter Helpline, allowing users to connect directly with their BLOs.

Apart from these features, it can also ensure that all digital operations are protected under advanced encryption and access control systems. It is also expected to enhance public confidence by reducing manual errors and delays in election processes.

How can a voter connect?

The app connects 90,712 Booth Level Officers (BLOs), 243 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and 38 District Election Officers (DEOs) under one digital umbrella.

Citizens can dial 1950 (Voter Helpline) to connect with their local election officials. They have to use the following format: +91 [STD Code] 1950 — for example, +91-612-1950 for Patna.

Voters will also be able to book a call with their BLO through the ECI Net app, ensuring quick redressal of queries.

After launching 17 new initiatives, Kumar said the polls, which come right after a contentious Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, will show India the path towards the purification of voter rolls.

Kumar said the EC will share webcasting of the voting with the Supreme Court and High Courts. "Whether someone casts their vote is their right to privacy, as upheld by several SC judgments. Some people approached the Maharashtra High Court, which upheld the SC’s judgment, and the Supreme Court also upheld it on appeal," he said.