Taking strong note of “mischievous” SMSes doing the rounds ahead of the elections in Gujarat, the Election Commission (EC) has asked leading mobile service providers operating in the state to provide names, cellphone numbers and addresses of those sending such messages to the Commission within 15 minutes. The EC is now seriously contemplating a ban on bulk SMSes 48 hours before voting on December 11 and 16 and is seeking legal opinion in this regard. On Wednesday, State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vinod Babbar had a meeting with representatives of half-a-dozen mobile phone companies to discuss the issue. After an hour-long meeting, a senior EC official said representatives of cellphone companies had assured the the CEO they would provide the information required. The companies also extended full co-operation to the EC in checking “objectionable” messages being sent in bulk. The EC will also seek police help to get a case registered against those who may be found indulging in such activity. Secretary (Science and Technology) Raj Kumar, who attended the meeting, told The Indian Express that the CEO was concerned about SMSes creating communal hatred ahead of the polls. “Such an illegal activity can amount to violation of the Model Code of Conduct and has to be prevented,” he said.
