2019 Lok Sabha polls: Here is all you need to know about Election Commission's model code of conduct

The Election Commission of India's Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for conduct of political parties and candidates during elections mainly with respect to speeches, polling day, polling booths, portfolios, election manifestos, processions and general conduct.

Election Commission (Source: PTI)

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India is expected to hold a press conference at 5 pm on Sunday to announce the dates for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. As per reports, the Election Commission is set to have finalised the dates of the polls and also concluded preparatory meetings. The election commission was scheduled to hold a crucial meeting on Saturday to discuss the final modalities of the parliamentary polls. The elections are likely to be held over seven or eight phases in April-May, sources said. With the announcement of polls, the Model Code of Conduct will come into effect from this evening bringing political adverting, campaigning and general conduct of political parties and leaders under the EC’s scrutiny.

What is the model code of conduct

The Election Commission of India's Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for conduct of political parties and candidates during elections mainly with respect to speeches, polling day, polling booths, portfolios, election manifestos, processions and general conduct.

These set of norms has been evolved with the consensus of political parties who have consented to abide by the principles embodied in the said code in its letter and spirit.

 

When was the Model Code of Conduct first introduced

The EC traces the introduction of the model code of conduct to the 1960 Assembly elections in Kerala. During simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and Assemblies in several States in 1962, the EC circulated the code to all recognised parties, which followed it “by and large”. In October 1979, the EC came up with a comprehensive code that saw further changes after consultations with parties.

When did the model code of conduct come into effect for 2014 Lok Sabha polls

For the General Elections 2014 the code came into force on 5 March 2014 when the Commission announced the dates and remains in force till the end of the electoral process.

Here are the major points of the model code of conduct are:

Government bodies are not to participate in any recruitment process during the electoral process

The contesting candidates and their campaigners must respect the home life of their rivals and should not disturb them by holding road shows or demonstrations in front of their houses. The code tells the candidates to keep it.

The election campaign rallies and road shows must not hinder the road traffic. Candidates are asked to refrain from distributing liquor to voters. It is a widely known fact in India that during election campaigning, liquor may be distributed to the voters. The election code in force hinders the government or ruling party leaders from launching new welfare programmes like construction of roads, provision of drinking water facilities etc. or any ribbon-cutting ceremonies. The code instructs that public spaces like meeting grounds, helipads, government guest houses and bungalows should be equally shared among the contesting candidates. These public spaces should not be monopolized by a few candidates. On polling day, all party candidates should cooperate with the poll-duty officials at the voting booths for an orderly voting process. Candidates should not display their election symbols near and around the poll booths on the polling day. No one should enter the booths without a valid pass from the Election Commission. There will be poll observers to whom any complaints can be reported or submitted. The ruling party should not use its seat of power for the campaign purposes. The ruling party ministers should not make any ad-hoc appointment of officials, which may influence the voters in favour of the party in power. Before using loud speakers during their poll campaigning, candidates and political parties must obtain permission or license from the local authorities. The candidates should inform the local police for conducting election rallies to enable the police authorities to make required security arrangements.