Model Code of conduct comes into effect, Here what does it mean

It 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. 

Saima Siddiqui
Published on: 11 March 2019 4:55 AM GMT
Model Code of conduct comes into effect, Here what does it mean
X

Lucknow: With the announcement of Lok Sabha election 2019 schedule, on Sunday, the Election Commission has sounded the bugle of political war in India. And after this, the polls date Model Code of Conduct has also come an effect, which abstains political parties and its candidates from doing certain things. To know more about EC's Model Code of Conduct lets first know what is it?

What is Model Code of Conduct

It 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.

When it comes into effect:

Model Code of Conduct comes into force immediately after the announcement of the election schedule by EC and remains in force till the end of the electoral process. For the General Elections, the code comes into force throughout the country or in only those areas where elections are to be held.

Why purpose does it serve:

-The guidelines of the code are made to ensure free and fair elections.

-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.

-Much of it is designed to avert communal clashes and corrupt practices.

What work Political parties and its candidates can not do, while, code of conduct in force:

-Politicians should not make hate speeches, putting one community against another or make promises about new projects that may sway a voter.

-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 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.

Guidelines for ruling parties:

-The ruling party should not use its seat of power for the campaign purposes.

-Government vehicles and cars can not be used for their political interests.

-Parties can not use government money for publishing political advertisement in newspapers.

-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.

Guidelines for Political Assemblies:

-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.

Guidelines for the day of polling:

-The identity card given to voters by parties or candidate on election day should be only a white paper and no information related to the election symbol should be written on it.

-On polling day, all party candidates should cooperate with the poll-duty officials at the voting booths for an orderly voting process.

-No publicity material is allowed near the polling booth and people should not be given freebies or things to attract crowd near the booth.

-There will be poll observers to whom any complaints can be reported or submitted.

-Candidates should not display their election symbols near and around the poll booths on the polling day.

Saima Siddiqui

Saima Siddiqui

Next Story