Panaji: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued strict orders for prohibition of misuse of text messages during the election process, election officials said.

Goa will hold Pale constituency by-election on November 26,as the seat has fallen vacant after the death of seating Legislator Gurudas Gawas.

Considering the increasing percolation of mobile telephone services, the ECI has decided to clamp down on the objectionable SMSs.

The SMSs, which are violating the provision of election law, model code of conduct and the Commission s directions issued in this behalf, the police authorities shall be advertising special mobile numbers in which the receiver of such SMS can forward it alongwith the number of the sender of objectionable SMS, the ECI instructions read.

The police authorities shall initiate appropriate enquiry and trace back the original sender of such SMS and take appropriate action under the relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961,the officials said.

Bulk SMSs transmitted during the campaign period as an alternative electioneering, as and when noticed by Returning Officer or District Election Officer shall be brought to the notice of Chief Electoral Officer, who in turn, shall find out the cost involved from the service provided and apportion it to the candidate or candidates concerned as the case may be, it added.

The election officials have also prohibited transmitting bulk SMSs of political nature during the period of 48 hours prior to the ending of polls.
Source : PTI