Model Code Of Conduct Kicks In As EC Declares Lok Sabha Election Dates. Know What Happens Now

Model Code Of Conduct: The exhaustive list includes a code of conduct for holding poll rallies, meetings, and processions by the political parties and candidates.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced the dates for Lok Sabha Elections 2024, after which the Model Code of Conduct was enforced.

Source : PTI

As soon as the Election Commission of India officially flagged off the ultimate race for the next Prime Minister of India on Saturday, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the polls kicked in, mandating political parties to comply with a set of rules. Violation of the rules would attract action from the poll panel. This Model Code of Conduct will remain in place till the completion of the entire poll process. 

The exhaustive list includes a code of conduct for holding poll rallies, meetings, and processions by the political parties and candidates. It also acts as a guideline for the conduct of parties and candidates on polling day, at the polling booth, and the preparation of election manifestos. 

The Model Code of Conduct was introduced in the country during the 1960 Lok Sabha polls.

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued an advisory to political parties emphasising the need to maintain decorum and moderation in public campaigns. This caution follows observations of a decrease in the quality of political debate during recent elections, according to a statement issued by the poll body.

What Is Model Code Of Conduct For Political Parties And Candidates?

The Election Commission's advisory includes various guidelines aimed at ensuring the integrity of the election process. These guidelines contain restrictions against:

• Making appeals to caste or communal feelings.
  
  
• Participating in actions that worsen existing conflicts or encourage mutual enmity among various groups.
  
  
• Spreading false or unfounded claims with the intent of deceiving voters.
  
  
• Critiquing opponents based on unfounded assertions or distortions.
  
  
• Avoiding personal attacks and demonstrating civility in political exchanges.
  
  
• Avoiding exploitation of houses of faith for electoral propaganda.
  
  
• Ensuring that advertising is truthful and not misleading.
  
  
• Using social media with caution, avoiding posts that disparage competitors or are inappropriate.

Model Code Of Conduct For Meetings

• Ahead of conducting the meeting, political parties or candidates should inform local police regarding the venue and schedule of the meeting.
  
  
• Parties and candidates shall find out the information regarding any restrictive or prohibitory order in force ahead of proposing a meeting at a particular location. If such orders exist, parties should comply with them. 
  
  
• In connection with any proposed meeting, a licence or permission must be obtained in advance for the use of loudspeakers or any other facility by political parties or candidates. 
  
  
• Meeting organisers must always request the assistance of on-duty police officers when dealing with those who are disrupting a meeting or attempting to cause disruption. Organisers should not take any action against such individuals on their own.

Model Code Of Conduct On Indirect Or Surrogate Violations

The Election Commission lists different types of surrogate or indirect MCC infractions recorded in recent elections, including the use of improper language against rival campaigns, the spread of unsubstantiated charges, and the distribution of deceptive ads.

• The use of unsuitable, and sometimes abusive, rhetoric toward prominent campaigners from opposing political parties.
  
  
• False, unquantifiable, unsupported, inaccurate, and unconfirmed claims.
  
  
• Slang communicating heavenly censure/personal vilification, use of vilifying and humiliating social media posts/caricatures breaching the narrow line of humour.
  
  
• Using social media messages out of context, sometimes to disseminate misinformation or disinformation.
  
  
• Misleading commercials disguised as news articles, upsetting the fair playing field immediately before voting days.
  
  
• Personal attacks on political rivals and candidates.
  
  
• State governments publishing welfare schemes in neighbouring polling states at the right time.
  
  
• Attempts to entice voters by luring them to register for nonexistent schemes, which is often akin to bribery through false promises.
  
  
• Use of the name of the candidate to make generalised comments against a group of voters.