Achi news desk-
In the Lok Sabha election campaigns, many MCC directives were flouted by the parties. Let’s dig deeper into what MCC is all about.
Do you know what MCC is?
As the people of Guwahati prepare to vote for their favorite candidates, it is important to highlight a crucial aspect of the elections: the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Although asked by GPlus, many people, including students, working professionals and housewives, were not aware of this. Let’s delve deeper into its meaning.
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What is the model code of conduct?
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC), issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI), serves as a comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at regulating the conduct of political parties and candidates during elections. It covers various aspects such as speeches, polling day procedures, manifesto content and general conduct to ensure that elections are conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
Main instructions of ‘My Customer Center’:
Also read: Mania in Manifesto: What is the ‘Niai Petra’ and ‘Sankalp Petra’?
Using the official role:
Ruling parties are prohibited from leveraging their official position for campaign purposes. This includes refraining from announcing policies or programs that could influence voter behavior in their favor. The MCC aims to ensure that office bearers do not abuse their authority to gain an unfair advantage during elections.
Fair use of public resources:
To maintain a level playing field, political parties are required to refrain from using public funds for self-promotion or campaign-related activities. Ministers are also prohibited from combining their official duties with election tasks, to ensure that government resources are not appropriated for partisan purposes.
Equal access to facilities:
One of the basic principles of the MCC is to provide equal access to public spaces and facilities for all political parties participating in the election process. This ensures that no party is unfairly disadvantaged due to its incumbent position and helps promote a fair and competitive electoral environment.
Advertising restrictions:
The MCC imposes strict restrictions on the use of public funds for advertisements and prohibits ad hoc appointments aimed at influencing voters. By preventing misuse of government resources for electoral purposes, the MCC aims to maintain the integrity of the electoral process and promote fair competition between political parties.
Campaign Guidelines:
To prevent exploitation of ancestral or communal sentiments for electoral gains, the MCC prohibits campaigns based on such partisan factors. Furthermore, places of worship are not restricted to election-related activities, ensuring that religious institutions remain neutral ground during the election process.
Prohibited methods:
The MCC unequivocally prohibits methods such as bribery, intimidation or impersonating a voter, which undermine the integrity of the elections. In addition, holding public meetings during the 48 hours "Election silence" The period before voting is strictly prohibited, allowing voters a campaign-free environment to reflect on their choices.
While the MCC lacks statutory backing, it represents a consensus among major political parties to uphold the principles of free and fair elections. Violations of the MCC are dealt with through moral sanction or audit by the Election Commission of India (ECI), which has the power to issue notices to individuals or parties based on its own complaints or observations. Follow-up actions may include written censorship, which serves as a form of accountability in the election framework.
