Designed for both Android and iOS users, the KYC app marks a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the Election Commission introduced another form of KYC – Know Your Candidate, offering voters a tool to scrutinize the criminal backgrounds of candidates contesting in their constituencies for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
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Announced by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Saturday, the app’s launch coincided with the declaration of the poll schedule. Kumar emphasised the necessity for voters to delve deeper into their candidates’ profiles beyond surface impressions, highlighting the app’s role in facilitating this.
For Android and iOS users
Designed for both Android and iOS users, the KYC app marks a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accountability in the electoral process. It empowers voters with comprehensive information about candidates, enabling them to make informed decisions when casting their votes.
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The app’s features include the ability to access records of any criminal charges against a candidate, as well as details of their assets and liabilities. Candidates are mandated to disclose their criminal records in newspapers and on television thrice, with the parties endorsing such candidates required to justify their selection over other contenders.
Speaking on the app’s functionality, Kumar emphasised its utility in enabling voters to independently verify the assets and liabilities held by candidates with criminal backgrounds. He reiterated that parties nominating such candidates must provide clear justifications for their choices, especially when other candidates without such backgrounds are available.
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Lok Sabha Election 2024 official dates
In addition to announcing the launch of the KYC app, the ECI disclosed the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections 2024, spanning seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with counting scheduled for June 4.
The EC also revealed plans for Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Odisha, to be held concurrently with the parliamentary polls. Notably, Andhra Pradesh will vote on May 13, while Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim will hold polls on April 19. Furthermore, by-elections for 26 Assembly seats will be conducted alongside the Lok Sabha elections.
