MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT - POLITY

News: Model Code of Conduct comes into effect in Meghalaya, EC issues instructions

 

What's in the news?

       With the announcement of the polling date for the Legislative Assembly in Meghalaya by the Election Commission (EC), the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into effect in the State.

 

Model Code of Conduct:

       Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for political parties and candidates is a set of norms evolved with the consensus of political parties and enforced by the Election Commission of India.

       At the time of the Lok Sabha elections, both the Union and State governments are covered under the MCC.

 

Evolution of MCC:

       The Model Code of Conduct for election was for the first time adopted for the Assembly Election of Kerala way back in 1960.

       The Model Code of Conduct for Lok Sabha elections was circulated during parliamentary elections of 1977.

 

Objectives of MCC:

       To help the Election commission of India to conduct free and fair elections and maintain high standards of public morality.

       To provide a level playing field between contestants so that the ruling party doesn’t misuse its position to gain an unfair advantage by taking decisions that can help them in the elections.

       To ensure that parties and candidates show respect for their opponents, criticise their policies and programmes constructively, and not resort to mudslinging and personal attacks.

 

Duration:

       The code is enforced from the date of announcement of election schedule till announcement of election result.

       However, the Commission can’t make its announcement more than three weeks ahead of issuing the formal notification of elections.

 

Parts of MCC:

       Part I deals with general precepts of good behaviour expected from candidates and political parties.

       Parts II and III focus on public meetings and processions.

       Parts IV and V describe how political parties and candidates should conduct themselves on the day of polling and at the polling booths.

       Part VI is about the authority appointed by the EC to receive complaints on violations of the MCC.

       Part VII is about the party in power.

       In 2014, the Commission introduced Part VIII on manifestos, pursuant to the directions of the Supreme Court.

 

Restrictions for the party in power:

       The MCC forbids ministers (of state and central governments) from using official machinery for election work and from combining official visits with electioneering.

       Advertisements praising the work of the incumbent government using public money are to be avoided.

       The Government cannot announce any financial grants, promise construction of roads or other facilities, and make any ad hoc appointments in government or public undertaking during the time the Code is in force.

       Ministers cannot enter any polling station or counting centre except in their capacity as a voter or a candidate.

       Exceptions:

       However, the Code does not halt the ongoing schemes of development work or welfare, relief and rehabilitation measures meant for people suffering from natural calamities. However, the EC forbids the use of these works for election propaganda.

 

Social Media and MCC:

       According to the Election Commission, MCC will also apply to content posted by political parties and candidates on the Internet, including on social media sites.

       In 2013, the Commission laid down guidelines to regulate the use of social media by parties and candidates.

       Candidates have to provide their email address and details of accounts on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc., and add the expenditure on advertisements posted on social media to their overall expenditure for the election.

 

Legal status:

       It is not a legally enforceable document, and the Commission usually uses moral sanction to get political parties and candidates to fall in line.