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News: The Election Commission of India has directed authorities to ensure strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the ongoing general elections and by elections in States/Union Territories.
About Model Code of Conduct (MCC)
- About: It is a set of guidelines published by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for political parties and candidates to set standards of conduct during the election campaign and polling.
- It explains how parties can register complaints with the poll panel’s observers in case of dispute.
- It also instructs political leaders in power on how they should conduct themselves.
- In 2019, a new addition regarding election manifestos was added, instructing parties not to issue promises which were ‘repugnant to the ideals of the Constitution’.
- When it comes into force and ends: It comes into force immediately when the election commission released the voting schedule.
- It ends with the commencement of the election when the results are announced.
- Applicability: It is applicable to all elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
- It is also applicable to State Legislative Council elections from Local Bodies and from Graduates’ and Teachers’ Constituencies.
- It is enforced throughout India in case of General elections, and the State up for polls in case of Legislative Assembly elections.
- Who comes under MCC: All organisations, committees, and corporations funded by the state or central government come under MCC.
- Enforcement: The poll panel issues guidelines to the government to shift out all officers, including police, who are posted in their home district and have completed/completing three out of four years in that district, to ensure no interference.
- Implemented by: It is implemented by newly appointed officials, and nodal EC officers monitor compliance.
- Enforceability: It is not a statutory document and not enforceable by any laws passed by the Parliament.
- Some offences are listed as ‘electoral offences’ and ‘corrupt practices’ under the Indian Penal Code (now known as Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) and the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
