Chandigarh, Sep 7 - Sending objectionable SMS messages ahead of the assembly polls in Haryana next month will invite penal action.

Haryana's Chief Electoral Officer Sajjan Singh said Monday that the Election Commission has observed a trend of sending objectionable messages through short messaging service (SMS) by some vested interests during the elections in violation of provisions of the election law, model code of conduct and instructions.

The poll panel has issued instructions on prohibition of misuse of SMSes during elections, he added.

Singh said police will advertise special mobile numbers on which the receiver of such objectionable SMSes can forward the same, along with the number of the sender, for action.

Bulk SMSes sent during the campaign period will also be added to the expenditure of the candidates, Singh added.

The 90-member Haryana assembly goes to polls Oct 13.