SMSes,blogs,websites stump EC

The code of conduct and purview in terms of content,expenditure and time is restricted to the candidates and parties. The SMSes circulated from the candidates and parties are on the radar. Other newer mediums will have to be examined. Blogs and websites raise other issues of ownership and accounting in terms of expenditure the problem is how do you establish the ownership and control them? As far as the websites of government and other bodies are concerned,there are laid-down regulations, said Debashish Chakraborty,Chief Election Officer,Maharashtra.

The Maharashtra electoral office has now asked telecommunication networks for information on the use of SMS services by parties and candidates. In a recent directive,the Election Commissioner has announced that each candidate has a cap of Rs 25 lakh for expenditure.

Meanwhile,Mumbai City Collector Inzes Kundan said that as many as 1,512 posters,banners and flags have been removed from Mumbai over the last two days. The Collector added that quick response teams had been formed to conduct recordings of political meetings and rallies each day. These will be checked for violation of model code of conduct.