Evolving Role of EC: Holding Parties Accountable for Model Code Violations By Campaigners

An EVM model outside the EC office in New Delhi. ( Image Source :PTI )

On 24 April 2024, the Election Commission (EC) issued notice to political parties for an alleged breach of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by their individual campaigners, signalling a new way of approaching electoral monitoring by the poll panel.  The MCC is a set of EC guidelines that spells out how political parties and candidates must conduct themselves during the election campaign and polling. In the past, the EC mostly sent general advisories to political parties. But whenever