Bengaluru, 1 June

Civil society groups, people’s movements and community organisations have launched a helpline to report any malpractices near the counting station on 4 June to “protect voter rights”.

Counting Watch, the helpline launched on Saturday, is aimed to tackle the malpractice and protect the voters' right. The helpline will be available from 7am to 12pm on Tuesday.

Lokesh Naik, a member of Wake up Karnataka (civil society group), said citizens in North India can report malpractices near the booths to 9870419280, 7982597191, whereas people in South can dial 9741482975 and 6366705015.

“Our ‘Vigilant Voters Task Force’ will reach the polling station and take legal actions,” he said.

The Task Force consists of journalists, civil society members, Opposition leaders and legal advisors, K Governing Council member of Wake up Karnataka, L Ashok, told Salar News.

In addition to ensure justice on the counting day, the organisations have sent a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and other judges.

The letter says, “During the 2024 elections, concerns were raised at many points about the fairness of the polls. It pains us to say that no Election Commission in the past has been as reluctant as the present one to discharge its duties, despite violations being repeatedly brought to its attention by responsible organizations and respected members of society.”