"No cell phones when you vote," Italians told

Italians were told on Tuesday that they will have to leave their beloved cell phones outside the ballot box when they vote in a national election this month. Reuters reports.

"A statement from the Interior Ministry said cell phones "or any other device that can take still pictures or video clips" will have to be checked outside the polling station during the April 13-14 election.

Mobile phones are ubiquitous in Italy. Last year Eurostat said that by 2005 there were more mobile phones than people Italy -- 122 phones per 100 residents.

The ruling, the first of its kind, was apparently issued to head off corruption".

emily | 6:29 PM | News, Buzz |
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