#233: Model Code of Conduct | #UPSC
A look into rules of fighting elections
Yatrigan Kursi ki peti baandh lijiye
Bharat is going for elections..
..Model Code of Conduct is now in place!
MCC = Rules of fighting elections. Learn👇🏼
This post will teach you:
• What's MCC?
• Legal implications
• ECI declaration of 2024 LS
• DOs & DONTs for Parties & Govt.
1. Model Code of Conduct
See it like this: To play a game, you need:
• Rules
• Referee
In elections game, who decides both?
Election Commission of India
Current Chief of ECI: Sh. Rajiv Kumar
2 ECs: Sh. Gyanesh Kumar & Sh. Sukhbir Sandhu
Rules kya hai?👇🏼
MCC = guidelines to regular parties from..
..date of announcement of elections to date of result
It started first in KL in 1960
1962: ECI regulated pan India for LS
Okay CSEWhy, so what are the rules?👇🏼
a) Prohibition
• Bans provoking 2Cs: Caste & Communalism
• Criticize ONLY policy, past record & work
• No person's effigy burning allowed
b) Meetings & Processions
• Time & venue to be informed to authorities
• No clash of 2 candidates on same route/place
c) Polling Day
• No unauthorized entry to polling booth
• Badge & ID to authorized party workers
d) Manifesto
• Release as per by sec 126 of RPA 1951
• No promises against ideals of constitution
• Avoid promises that vitiate election cycle process
e) Others
• Opinion & Exit polls are ECI regulated
• No Govt. ads featuring figures during elections
• No print ads on poll-day & a day prior w/o screening
No statutory backing BUT:
• IPC & CrPC directions u/ RPA 1951
• 2013: Parliamentary Standing Committee:
"Make MCC legally binding u/ RPA1951"
What are its criticisms?
• No legal binding
• Malpractices still continue
• Often elections in India -> MCC always somewhere
All in all, MCC is now in place!
H'nble CEC has announced the following details:
• 96.8 crore voters
• Criminal background candidate to publish their record thrice in news
• Political Parties to explain why they gave them ticket
• Challenges: 4Ms
Muscle, Money, Misinformation & MCC violation
Assembly Elections
• Poll dates in bracket
Sikkim [19 April 2024], Arunachal Pradesh [19 April 2024], Odisha [13/05, 20/05, 25/05] & Andhra Pradesh [13 May 2024] to have simultaneous elections with Parliament
• 543 constituencies
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