Privacy Policy for MPSEC पीठासीन अधिकारी (MP Election Officer) App

The MPSEC पीठासीन अधिकारी app, developed by the Madhya Pradesh State Election Commission (MPSEC), is a secure application designed exclusively for authorized employees and personnel (Presiding Officers) of the MPSEC. The app is not intended for use by the general public or any unauthorized individuals. It facilitates the monitoring and reporting of election day activities, including tracking polling material, conducting mock polls, reporting polling percentages, and handing over polling machines. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information in compliance with applicable laws, including the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act).

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information to enable the app’s functionality and ensure secure, efficient election processes for authorized employees and personnel only:

a. Personal Information

• Login Credentials: Mobile number and One-Time Password (OTP) for secure authentication of authorized Presiding Officers.
• Identity Details: Name, designation, employee ID, or other identifiers provided by the MPSEC to verify your role as an authorized Presiding Officer.
• Location Data: Real-time location data to track your journey from home to the polling booth and during material handover, only when you actively use the app on election day as an authorized employee.
• Device Information: Device ID, IP address, and operating system details to ensure secure access and troubleshoot technical issues for authorized users.

b. Election-Related Data

• Polling Activities: Data related to receipt of polling materials, mock polls, start and end of polling, sealing of polling machines, and handover to authorities, entered by authorized personnel.
• Polling Statistics: Vote counts and polling percentages reported to the MPSEC head office by authorized Presiding Officers.

c. Usage Data

• App interactions, such as timestamps of actions (e.g., material receipt, poll start/end) and error logs, to ensure operational efficiency and auditability for authorized users.

2. How We Use Your Information

Your information is used solely for the following purposes, restricted to authorized MPSEC employees and personnel:

• Authentication: Verify your identity as an authorized Presiding Officer using mobile number and OTP.
• Election Management: Track and record election day activities, such as material receipt, mock polls, and polling machine handover, to ensure compliance with MPSEC protocols.
• Real-Time Reporting: Provide live updates on polling percentages and vote counts to the MPSEC head office for transparency and monitoring by authorized personnel.
• Security and Auditing: Use device and location data to secure the app and maintain an audit trail of election activities for authorized users.
• Technical Support: Analyze usage data and error logs to improve app performance and resolve issues for authorized employees.

3. How We Collect Your Information

• Direct Input: Authorized employees provide personal information (e.g., mobile number) during login and election-related data through app actions (e.g., logging material receipt).
• Automated Collection: Location data is collected when authorized personnel enable location services on their device and use the app. Device information is collected automatically during app usage by authorized users.
• MPSEC Database: Your name, designation, employee ID, or other identifiers are pre-verified against the MPSEC’s official database to ensure only authorized employees access the app.

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not share your personal information with third parties except in the following cases, and only with entities directly involved in the election process:

• With MPSEC and Election Authorities: Your data is shared with the Madhya Pradesh State Election Commission and other authorized election bodies to facilitate election processes and compliance for authorized personnel.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, in accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the DPDP Act, 2023.
• Service Providers: Limited device and usage data may be shared with trusted technical service providers (e.g., MP State Electronics Development Corporation Ltd.) for app maintenance and support, under strict confidentiality agreements, accessible only to authorized personnel.

5. Data Security

We implement robust security measures to protect the information of authorized employees and personnel:

• Encryption: All data, including personal and election-related information, is encrypted during transmission and storage using industry-standard protocols.
• Access Controls: The app is restricted to authorized Presiding Officers with valid login credentials issued by the MPSEC. Unauthorized access by the general public or non-employees is strictly prohibited.
• Secure Storage: Data is stored on secure servers managed by the MPSEC or its authorized technical partners.
• Regular Audits: We conduct periodic security audits to ensure compliance with data protection standards and restrict access to authorized personnel only.

6. Data Retention

• Personal Information: Retained only for the duration of the election process or as required by MPSEC protocols, after which it is securely deleted unless required for legal or audit purposes.
• Election Data: Vote counts, polling percentages, and activity logs are retained as per MPSEC and Election Commission of India guidelines for audit and transparency.
• If you are an authorized employee and wish to request deletion of your personal data, contact the MPSEC Data Protection Officer (details below).

7. Your Rights

Under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, authorized employees and personnel have the following rights:

• Access: Request details of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal and audit requirements.
• Grievance Redressal: Raise concerns about data handling with the MPSEC Data Protection Officer.

To exercise these rights, contact the MPSEC at mpsec@mp.gov.in or call the Helpline: +91-755-2551076.

8. Location Data

• Location data is collected only when authorized personnel actively use the app to track election-related movements (e.g., from home to polling booth).
• You can disable location services, but this may limit app functionality, as location tracking is essential for monitoring election activities by authorized employees.
• Location data is encrypted and used solely for election purposes, not for unrelated tracking or profiling.

10. Third-Party Services

• The app does not integrate with third-party analytics or advertising services.
• Technical support services (e.g., server hosting) are provided by trusted partners like the MP State Electronics Development Corporation Ltd., under strict data protection agreements accessible only to authorized personnel.

11. Restricted Access

• The MPSEC पीठासीन अधिकारी app is strictly restricted to authorized employees and personnel of the Madhya Pradesh State Election Commission. It is not available for use by the general public or any unauthorized individuals.
• Access is granted only to Presiding Officers with valid credentials issued by the MPSEC, ensuring that only designated employees can use the app.

12. Children’s Privacy

• This app is intended solely for authorized MPSEC employees and personnel and is not designed for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

• We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in app functionality or legal requirements. The updated policy will be posted in the app and on the MPSEC website (mplocalelection.gov.in).
• Authorized employees will be notified of significant changes via the app or email.