EC launches National Voter Helpline and 36 regional centres to assist citizens

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken another major step to make the voting process easier and more transparent for all citizens. On Wednesday, the commission activated the National Voter Helpline and 36 state and district-level helplines to help voters with their queries, complaints, and feedback. The move aims to make communication between the voters and election officials faster and more effective.

Along with this, the ECI has also launched a new facility called ‘Book-a-Call with BLO’ (Booth Level Officer), allowing citizens to directly reach their local BLO through the ECINET platform. This feature is expected to make it simpler for people to verify their details, correct voter information, and understand election-related processes.

Book-a-Call feature and voter helpline facilities

The ECI has advised all citizens to use the ‘Book-a-Call with BLO’ and the dedicated Voter Helpline Number – 1950 to get assistance regarding election-related issues. Voters can use these services for obtaining information, sharing feedback, or filing complaints. The main aim of these helplines is to ensure quick and transparent redressal of voter concerns.

According to the Election Commission, people can also connect with officials using the ECINET App, a digital platform that allows direct interaction with election officers. The ECI has instructed Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), District Election Officers (DEOs), and Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to closely monitor the progress of the helpline system and make sure that every voter query is resolved within 48 hours.

In addition to phone calls and the app, the ECI has also provided an email option — [email protected] — where citizens can send election-related grievances. This ensures that people who prefer writing emails or are unable to use the phone or app services can still have their concerns addressed efficiently.

The Election Commission has emphasized that these helplines and the new call-booking facility are not replacing the existing grievance mechanisms but are additional support systems to improve voter experience. With these, the ECI wants to make sure that every Indian voter feels heard and assisted at the local and national level.

National, state, and district contact centres operational

In its official statement, the ECI confirmed that the National Contact Centre (NCC) will serve as the central helpline for all states and Union Territories. The NCC operates daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM through the toll-free number 1800-11-1950. These calls are handled by trained executives who guide citizens with various electoral services — including voter ID corrections, registration issues, polling information, and general queries about the election process.

The Election Commission has also directed each State and Union Territory to set up its own State Contact Centre (SCC), while every district is required to have a District Contact Centre (DCC). These centres will help voters at a more local level, providing faster and region-specific responses to queries.

The ECI said that these SCCs and DCCs will operate during office hours on all working days throughout the year and will offer support in regional languages, making communication easier for people who are not comfortable in English or Hindi. This ensures inclusivity and accessibility for citizens from different linguistic backgrounds.

All complaints and queries received through these contact centres will be recorded and tracked using the National Grievance Service Portal (NGSP 2.0). This tracking system helps ensure that every voter’s concern is properly registered and monitored until it is resolved.

The ECI believes that the integration of these helplines and grievance mechanisms will help build stronger trust between the public and election authorities. It will also reduce delays in resolving voter-related problems, especially during major election periods when the volume of queries is high.

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Strengthening voter trust and participation

The Election Commission’s latest initiative aligns with its goal of making the Indian electoral process citizen-centric and technologically efficient. By combining phone helplines, digital apps, and regional language services, the ECI is making sure that no voter feels left out due to technical or communication barriers.

This move also reflects the Commission’s ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability. The direct connection between citizens and election officials through the new helpline system helps in building greater trust and confidence in the election machinery.

The ECI has encouraged citizens to make the most of these new tools. Whether it’s for checking voter list details, updating information, or understanding voting procedures, the 1950 Helpline and the Book-a-Call with BLO service are designed to simplify the entire experience.

By activating these helplines nationwide, the Election Commission has ensured that every Indian voter has easy access to help and information — a crucial step toward strengthening democracy and promoting informed participation in elections.