Election Commission of India (ECI) announced Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for upcoming 2024 Parliamentary Elections

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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.