Model Code of Conduct

Model Code of Conduct

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, 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.

The Model Code of Conduct comes into force immediately on announcement of the election schedule by the commission and is operational till the process of elections is completed. The need for it is to ensure free and fair elections.

Much of it is designed to avert communal clashes and corrupt practices. For example, politicians should not make hate speeches, putting one community against another or make promises about new projects that may sway a voter.

The Model Code of Conduct is crucial to make sure a level playing field among various contenders in the poll fray.

The main points of the code 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 election campaign rallies and road shows must not hinder the road traffic.
• Candidates are asked to refrain from distributing liquor to voters.
• The election code in force hinders the government or ruling party leaders from launching new welfare programmes or projects.
• The code instructs that public spaces like meeting grounds, helipads, government guest houses and bungalows should be equally shared among the contesting 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.
• 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 favor 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.

Status of Model Code of Conduct

Model Code of Conduct does not have a statutory backing and demands from several quarters have been raised to provide it necessary parliamentary approval. Though Election Commission of India is less inclined towards a statutory status to the Model Code of Conduct because it has worked effectively in previous elections due to its flexibility and effective steps taken by the Commission. If it becomes an Act, it may lose its effectiveness due to delays involved in implementation as it will take a legal route though judicial mechanism.