SMS poll campaign blasts off
Telecom companies stood to gain handsome profits yesterday as mobile-phone users sent out a cascade of text messages urging friends, relatives or people they knew to go out and vote in today's snap election.
The text advises voters to bring a pen with them and use it to mark their ballots. "Don't use the rubber stamp provided [by the authorities] to prevent fakes. Tell all your friends too," the SMS said. "I have forwarded the message to all names in my phone," said a female office worker. Her colleague added that he had received at least five messages carrying similar content. The SMS adds more intrigue to today's controversial election, boycotted by opposition parties. The widespread text message urges eligible voters to vote in a way that could put a political message across. E-mails have also been circulating with a similar political purpose, advising voters to exercise their rights and reminding them that it is illegal not to vote.
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