Got queries on elections? Log into Chunavana app

BENGALURU: In a last-minute bid to encourage more voters to come to polling booths and exercise their franchise on May 10, Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday launched a mobile app to address citizens’ election-related queries.
ECI also launched a theme song to motivate youngsters to come out and cast their votes. The song is penned by Sandalwood lyricist Nagendra Prasad and sung by playback singer Vijay Prakash.
The mobile app, ‘Chunavana’, will be a one-stop solution for all queries related to polling and polling stations, Manoj Kumar Meena, chief electoral officer (CEO), said after launching the app.
Offering a sneak-peek into the functioning of the new mobile app, Meena said: “It has eight different features that will come in handy for any voter who steps out to vote on May 10. Currently, the app is available on the Android platform. Within a day, it will be available to iPhone users as well. Voters can have access to information pertaining to their polling station or polling officials just by typing their Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number,” Meena said.
Surya Sen, special commissioner (IT, media), CEO, Karnataka, said: “The app is based on the GIS application and all the part lists (area-wise voters) have been digitized and mapped. Users only need to enter their EPIC number and the app will direct them to the designated polling booth using Google Map.”
Voters can navigate their way to the booth using the app. Also, the app will have a list of candidates that voters can verify before heading to the booth . The app will also have the mobile numbers of electoral officers at their voting booths, he added.
Users can also find information about parking spaces around the polling booths. “Voters can also check how many people are in the queue at polling booths. These details will be updated every 15 minutes,” officials said.
Book a cab, wheelchair
To reach out to specially-abled voters and help them exercise their voting rights, the ‘Chunavana’ app will offer the option to avail cab services and wheelchairs.
“The option can be availed by specially abled voters as well as those above 80 years. They can raise their request before midnight of May 8,” an ECI official said.