As the stage is set for the biennial elections to the Legislative Council from one graduates and two teachers’ constituencies on March 22, the State election authority, the Chief Electoral Officer, has prohibited transmission of bulk SMSs in seven districts where polls are being held.
The prohibition on bulk messages would start from 6 p.m. on March 20, which would be effective till 6 p.m. on March 22, the time when the polling is scheduled to be completed. The elections are slated to be held for Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar Graduates’ Constituency and Teachers’ Constituencies of Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar and Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda as the term of the existing members is set to expire on March 28.
Objectionable material
Quoting the instructions from the Election Commission of India, CEO Rajat Kumar said there was scope for transmission of objectionable SMSs in violation of the provisions of the election law, model code of conduct and instructions issued by the commission from time to time. In view of this, the police should make available to public the mobile numbers on which complaints could be registered by those who receive such objectionable messages could register their complaints.
The police would thereafter conduct inquiries and trace the original sender of the messages and take action under the relevant provisions of the IPC and other laws. “Any violation of the provisions will be taken seriously and appropriate action will be initiated under the relevant provisions of the election laws,” the CEO said.
Mr. Rajat Kumar wanted the officials concerned to take the issue to the notice of all the mobile service providers in the State to ensure that they strictly adhere to the ECI’s instructions while extending SMS service to their customers.