Check SMS misuse, service providers told

PUDUCHERRY: Mobile service providers have been asked to keep a watch on objectionable SMS and to check misuse of the service during the campaigning for the Indira Nagar constituency by-poll.Collector-cum-District Election Officer SB Deepak Kumar, IAS, and Anto Alphonse, IPS, on Tuesday, told the representatives of the mobile service providers that they should inform the poll officials about any SMS that violated election laws, model code of conduct and Election Commission’s directions.Action would be taken against those found sending the SMS, under the relevant provisions of Indian Penal Code, Representation of People Act and Conduct of Election rules.The DEO said the transmission of bulk SMS should be stopped 48 hours before the poll.Deepak Kumar said the service providers should submit the details of the bulk SMS to the DEO. The cost involved for the service would be added to the candidate’s poll expense