Hyderabad
Nov. 16: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation launched a short messaging service on Monday to inform city voters of the polling booths in which they can cast their ballots.

This service has been launched to increase the voter turnout in the civic body polls scheduled for November 23.

According to the GHMC special commissioner, Mr S.P. Singh, this facility has been made available to the residents of Hyderabad in addition to the existing facilities like the Internet and call centres.

“It can be availed by typing GHMC EPIC (electors photo identity card) number and sending the message to 56677,” said Mr Singh. “The service is charged Re 1, which is the charge for a local SMS.”

In return the sender will get a message giving all details of the polling booth he or she has to go to cast the vote, he said.

he service can also be availed by those who don’t have an EPIC card. They have to type GHMC along with their house number and send it to 56677.

“We have collected a huge database of about 30 lakh mobile phone numbers in Hyderabad with the help of a private IT firm, who will be receiving details regarding the addresses of various polling booths,” said the special commissioner.