National

No SMS campaigns 48 hours before Assembly polls: Election Commission

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Friday imposed a ban on the use of SMS (short messaging service) through mobile phones by candidates or political parties 48 hours before polling for the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assemblies. Polling will be held in Gujarat on December 11 and 16, while the second and last round of polling in Himachal Pradesh is slated for December 19.

Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami, flanked by Election Commissioners Navin Chawla and S.Y. Quraishi, announced the ban at a press conference here. Mr. Gopalaswami said this was the first time the Commission had taken up such an exercise.

It had two rounds of meeting with service providers, and the move was aimed at tracking down the source of any mischievous SMS. “There will be no bulk SMS campaign 48 hours before the polling.” he said. Asked how the cost would be apportioned if the messages were forwarded, he said, “The innovativeness of human mind is endless.” The service providers had assured the Commission that they would be able to track down any such SMS within 30 minutes of getting information.

On the sting operation conducted by Tehelka, he said the Commission could interfere only if it was used to communalise the campaign.

To a question on special arrangements for the people affected by the Godhra riots, who were staying in relief camps, he said 19,257 of them were voters. All had Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPICs). They had told the Commission that they would be exercising their franchise at nearby polling stations.

As in Uttar Pradesh, a substantial number of absentees and those who had shifted houses were of some concern. The names of 28 lakh voters had been deleted, out of a total electorate of 3.65 crore, in Gujarat.Mr. Gopalaswami said poll observers had been asked to extensively tour their constituencies and build confidence among the weaker and disadvantaged sections. The observers would constantly review the execution of non-bailable warrants, the recovery of illicit arms, and the collection of licensed arms. They would also monitor strictly the enforcement of the model code of conduct.

The 266 observers had been told to make sure that the affidavits filed by candidates contained details of their movable/immovable assets, qualifications, convictions, and cases pending in courts. Also, they should ensure these affidavits were displayed prominently and made available for public scrutiny. They were also directed to make sure that extensive videography was done of all critical events.

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