Model Code of Conduct

18.03.2024

Model Code of Conduct

 Why in the news?

The Chief Election Commissioner of India asked all political parties to strictly adhere to the Mode Code of Conduct (MCC).

About Model Code of Conduct:

• It traces its origins back to the assembly elections in Kerala in 1960.
• It serves as a set of conventions unanimously agreed upon by all stakeholders involved in the electoral process.
• Its primary objective is to ensure that campaigns, polling and counting proceed in an orderly, transparent and peaceful manner.
• Additionally, it serves as a mechanism to curb any misuse of state machinery and financial resources by the ruling party.
• It does not possess any statutory backing but has been upheld by the Supreme Court on multiple occasions.

What Activities Are Prohibited After Implementation of MCC?

• Ministers and other authorities are barred from announcing any financial grants or making commitments once the elections are announced, as per the guidelines of the election panel.
• Once the dates for the Lok Sabha elections are announced, Ministers and other authorities are also restricted from laying foundation stones or initiating projects or schemes of any kind, except civil servants. No project or scheme that may sway voters in favor of the ruling party can be announced after the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.
• Additionally, ministers are prohibited from using official machinery for campaign purposes. Official visits must not be combined with any electioneering activities after the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.
• Furthermore, the use of official machinery or personnel for electioneering purposes is strictly forbidden. Ministers and other authorities are not allowed to sanction grants or payments from discretionary funds once the elections are announced.
• Government accommodations should not serve as campaign offices or be used for holding public meetings for election propaganda by any party, as prohibited by the poll body.
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) prohibits the issuance of advertisements at the cost of the public exchequer in newspapers and other media during the election period.
• The misuse of official mass media for partisan coverage of political news and publicity regarding achievements to favor the ruling party should be strictly avoided, as noted in the MCC guidelines.

                                                   Source: The Economic Times