ECINET App: Mandatory For Presiding Officers In Assembly Elections Detailed Step By Step Guide

ECINET App: To make the voting process more transparent and faster in the upcoming assembly elections of West Bengal, the Election Commission has taken a major technological step. It is now mandatory for Presiding Officers to submit all reports digitally through the ‘ECINET’ app. This initiative will ensure real-time updates from polling booths reach the Commission’s dashboard, opening a new horizon in election management.

Uninterrupted Operation Even in Zero-Network Booths

One of the biggest concerns for polling personnel is internet connectivity in remote areas. To address this, the app features a robust offline mode. If a booth lacks internet access, the inputted data is transmitted to the server via SMS. Once the mobile device regains network coverage or the polling party reaches the Receiving Centre, all data will automatically synchronize online. Color-coded indicators simplify this process: a green checkmark appears for successful uploads, while pending data is marked with red or blue signals.

App Setup and Preparations for Polling Personnel

Officers must download the application from the Google Play Store and log in using their registered mobile numbers. Following OTP verification, the Presiding Officer can view their assigned booth, assembly constituency, and total voter count. If any discrepancies are found, they must immediately inform the Returning Officer (RO). The app’s multi-language support (including Bengali and English) eliminates language barriers. However, since the app requires continuous usage throughout the day, officials are strongly advised to carry a fully charged power bank.

Step-by-Step Election Day Duties on the App

From arriving at the booth the day before to the conclusion of polling, every step must be updated in the application.

• Booth Arrival Update: The polling party must update their arrival status on the day prior to the election.
• Mock Poll and Actual Voting: On election day, the mock poll starting and ending details must be entered after 5:30 AM. Subsequent updates are required when actual voting commences.
• Regular Polling Trends: A bi-hourly vote count report (e.g., from 7 AM to 9 AM) must be submitted. A 20-minute grace period is provided after each slot to submit these reports.

Final Data Submission and Correction Rules

The close of poll button will remain deactivated before 5:30 PM. Once the voting process concludes, the total votes cast on the EVM, along with the detailed breakdown of female, male, and third-gender voters, must be recorded in the app. This data must perfectly match the figures in Form 17C. Any errors can be corrected up to 12:00 AM (midnight). After midnight, the app will switch to read only mode, meaning no further changes can be made.