Model Code of Conduct

Source-This post on Model Code of Conduct has been created based on the article “Ex-Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa writes: A message on the Model Code of Conduct for leaders – from Mahabharata and beyond” published in “The Indian Express” on 24 May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-2– Salient Features of the Representation of People’s Act.

Context-The article discusses India’s national motto “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth alone triumphs) and its relevance to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during elections.

What is the role of ECI in Indian democracy?

The national motto “Satyameva Jayate” was adopted on January 26, 1950, the day India became a Republic.
The Election Commission of India (ECI), established a day earlier, is responsible for facilitating democratic elections in the country by ensuring fairness and preventing undue influence on voters by candidates, political parties, and their supporters.

What is the significance of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)?

1) The MCC aims to ensure ethical conduct during elections, restraining candidates and political parties from influencing voters through dishonest means.

2) The MCC prohibits parties and candidates from deepening existing societal divisions or appealing to caste or communal sentiments to secure votes. Such appeals are considered corrupt practices and electoral offenses under Section 123 (3&3A) and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

A detailed article on the Model Code of Conduct can be read here.

What are the issues in its implementation?

1) It wouldn’t be fair to expect people to act as “role models” temporarily if they haven’t been doing so in their everyday lives. Political parties and leaders should demonstrate model conduct in what they say and mean consistently.

2) Loopholes in the law make it challenging to prosecute offenders who use clever rhetoric to avoid punishment. For ex- inciting hatred between social groups is punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine, or both, but only if it’s linked to an election. However, proving that such a statement was made concerning an election may require explicit urging to vote or not vote.

What is the lesson drawn from Mahabharata for ensuring integrity in Indian electoral politics?

1) There is a parallel drawn from the Mahabharata story of Yudhisthira’s statement about Ashwathama’s death, where the “whole truth” was not spoken in a manner that Dron Acharya could comprehend. It may have served the larger purpose of securing the victory for the Pandava, but Yudhistara lost his moral high ground by telling partial truth so it is important that politicians ensure that means should justify ends not vice-versa during the elections.

2) There is a need to reconsider the Model Code of Conduct and revive moral integrity because elections shouldn’t result in people and their leaders losing their ethical grounding.

Question for practice