Hyderabad: Transmission of all the bulk SMS banned as election silence begins

Hyderabad: The Telangana’s Chief Electoral Officer has issued an order about the prohibition on transmission of illegal bulk SMS 48 hours before the polls.

Director General of Police M. Mahender Reddy said this implies that in the period between 6 pm on December 5 and 6 pm on December 7, all bulk SMS’ of a political nature should be suspended.

He stated, “In pursuance of the instructions of the Election Commission of India, in order to prevent the commission of electoral offences, which may, in turn, lead to the breakdown of public order and interfere with the process of free and fair conduct of an election.”

He added, “It is hereby directed that transmission of all the bulk SMS’, use of mobile and PRI lines and IVRS numbers for an election campaign or of political nature be stopped for the aforesaid period throughout the state of Telangana by issuing necessary orders.”

The model code of conduct issued by the Election Commission prohibits all forms of political campaigning during the period, added the officials.