Lok Sabha polls from April 11 to May 19

Lok Sabha polls from April 11 to May 19

1. Election Commission has announced that voting to elect the 17th Lok Sabha (LS) will be held in seven phases from April 11 to May 19 and the counting of votes will take place on May 23.
2. With the announcement of the election schedule,the model code of conduct has also came into force with immediate effect.
3. The Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections.The rules range from issues related to respect to (a)speeches (b)polling day, (c)polling booths (d)portfolios (e)content of election manifestos, (f)processions and (g)general conduct,so that free and fair elections are conducted.The MCC comes into force from the date the election schedule is announced until the date that results are out.
4. Model Code of Conduct(MCC) has no statutory backing.It means that anybody breaching the MCC can’t be proceeded against under any clause of the Code.Everything is voluntary.The EC uses moral sanction or censure for its enforcement.
5. The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering election processes in India. The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha and state Legislative Assemblies in India, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country.The Election Commission operates under the authority of Constitution as per Article 324,and subsequently enacted Representation of the People Act.