Hyderabad: Hotline to report misuse of SMS

Hyderabad: Telangana state police, in coordination with the office of the chief electoral officer, has established a special mobile number to receive complaints of misuse of messaging services by political parties.

Officials will initiate investigation into these complaints, identify the sender of such messages and take action under provisions of the Model Code of Conduct, the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of People Act, 1951.

The Election Commission of India issued instructions to prohibit the misuse of SMS by political parties during campaigns and punish the offenders in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections to be held in Telangana on April 11, 2019.

Complaints about the misuse messaging services can be sent to mobile number 9490617523.

Meanwhile, in order to facilitate voters on poll day, the GHMC has decided to serve water to people standing in queues and provide tents for shade.

The civic body will provide oral rehydration salt sachets for the poll staff.