SMS cost to be included in candidate's election expenditure

Jaipur, Nov 7 (UNI) Candidates or their supporters who wish to canvass or campaign through mobile SMS in the upcoming Assembly polls should beware, as the expenses on bulk SMS sending will be included in the concerned candidate's election expenditure.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vinod Zutsi said that bulk SMS option would attract the provisions and regulations of the higher limit of election expenses, model code of conduct and campaign restrictions.

Accordingly, no objectionable SMS in violation of model code of conduct could be send by any one. There would also be a blanket ban on sending such SMSs during 48 hours before the polling, Mr Zutsi said.

He added that violation of any of the provision of the election regulations in this connection would be dealt with strictly.

The political parties had been conveyed of the legal situation in this regard, the CEO said.

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