Election Commission of India (ECI) announced Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for upcoming 2024 Parliamentary Elections | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Election Commission of India (ECI) announced Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for upcoming 2024 Parliamentary Elections

Posted 18 Mar 2024

Updated 28 Mar 2024

2 min read

  • MCC comes into effect after ECI announced that country would vote in seven phases from April 19 to June 1 and results will be announced on June 4.

 

  • About MCC
    • It is a set of guidelines laid down by ECI to govern conduct of political parties and candidates in run-up to an election to ensure free and fair elections.
    • This is in keeping with Article 324 of Constitution, which gives ECI power to supervise elections to Parliament and State legislatures.
    • It is operational from date that the election schedule is announced till date that results are announced
    • It is not enforceable by law, but some provisions are enforceable through corresponding provisions in statues like Representation of People Act, 1951 etc.

 

  • Activities prohibited after implementation of MCC
    • Candidates cannot announce financial grants. Moreover, government cannot launch new projects. 
    • No promises from authorities related to infrastructure development like roads, etc.
    • Prohibition of any ad-hoc appointments in government or public undertakings.
    • Ministers or candidates cannot sanction grants or payments from discretionary funds. 
    • Ban of government resources like transport, machinery, etc. for campaigning.

 

Role of ECI in light of evolution of MCC

  • In 1960, MCC was first introduced in state assembly elections in Kerala.
  • In 1974, ECI directed Chief Electoral Officer to constitute district level standing committee under which District Collector kept check on MCC violation.
  • In 1979, ECI added a section to regulate ‘party in power’ and prevent it from gaining an unfair advantage during elections.
  • In 2013, Supreme Court in S. Subramaniam Balaji vs. State of Tamil Nadu case directed ECI to include guidelines regarding election manifestos, which it had included in MCC.
  • Tags :
  • Role of ECI in MCC evolution
  • Model Code of Conduct (MCC)
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