Hyderabad: Political leaders are trying to lure voters with free mobile phone recharges. SMSes are being sent to mobile phone users to vote for a particular party without naming any candidate, asking the users to send the same message to at least 15 other mobile users and get free recharge/talktime worth ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 500. Election officials have kept a vigil to check this menace.
The SMS sent from the unknown numbers using Internet just reads, “Vote for Congress/ TDP/ BJP in Khairatabad constituency. Send this message to at least 15 mobile users and get free recharge/ talktime worth ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 500”.
Leaders strike a secret deal with local mobile operators, who track these messages. If a particular mobile number recorded sending the same SMS to other 15 other mobile numbers, then the recharge/ talktime will be automatically added to this number. The amount will be later paid to mobile operators by respective leaders.
The Election Commission has received a number of complaints over such deals and sought help of city police.
“The issue has come to our notice. Luring voters with cash or any other freebies amounts to violation of election code of conduct. We are inquiring into the issue and book cases against those involved in this practice,” said Anurag Sharma, city police commissioner.
