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. Why in News: Displeasure over the lackadaisical approach of Air India and the Railways in enforcing the Model Code of Conduct – Election Commission. However, the Commission can’t make its announcement more than three weeks ahead of issuing the formal notification of elections. Model Code of Conduct was recently in news when government’s move to advance the Union Budget was questioned by the opposition parties in a fear that budget proposa. However, from 1967 till 1991, as political competition intensified, political parties indulged in corrupt electoral practices, used muscle power and money. The Election Commission decided to emulate Kerala’s example and circulate the draft among all recognised parties and state governments for the Lok Sabha elections of 1962. This is in keeping with Article 324 of the Constitution, which gives the Election Commission the power to conduct and supervise elections to the Parliament and state legislatures. It is not under a law, it is not even under conduct rules in short it has no statutory backing. EC refined the code, making it more stringent by including a section about the misuse of powers by ruling parties and renamed it the MCC. A team of Dedicated Mentors are at work to help you through Revision, Current Affairs, Test Series, Standard Notes to ace Your Dream to became an IAS ! More independence should be provided to the Election Commission as like CAG, which will empower EC to take more stringent against powerful leaders. But, concern of EC can be resolved by creating a tribunal or fast track court for MCC violation cases. The Model Code of Conduct does not have any statutory backing. Your email address will not be published. But the Code has come to acquire significance in the past decade, because of its strict enforcement by the EC. 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, the Model Code of Conduct says. They now encompass its processes such as the use of electronic voting machines, which had become acceptable when the ECI was stronger. Candidate should not display their election symbols near and around the poll booths on the polling day. After 1991, the ECI used new means to enforce the MCC. Your One-Stop Solution for All round UPSC Civil Service Exam Preparations. Parties must inform the local police authorities of the venue and time of any meeting in time to enable the police to make adequate security arrangements. Required fields are marked *. To help the Election commission of India to conduct free and fair elections and maintain high standards of public morality. At the time of the Lok Sabha elections, both the Union and state governments are covered under the MCC. The MCC is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections, to ensure free and fair elections. India’s child marriage numbers dropped sharply– UNICEF, Ensure State panels for women are set up: SC, Copyright@IAS Abhiyan-2020 I All Rights Reserved. GK, General Studies, Optional notes for UPSC, IAS, Banking, Civil Services. In 2013, the Commission laid down guidelines to regulate the use of social media by parties and candidates. But The Election Commission has argued against making the MCC legally binding; stating that elections must be completed within a relatively short time (close to 45 days), and judicial proceedings typically take longer, therefore it is not feasible to make it enforceable by law. That's why, political actors are regaining the confidence to flout the MCC without facing the consequences. The Supreme Court in its judgment (S. Subramaniam Balaji Vs Govt. Enemy properties can be put to public use: Centre to states. These public spaces should not be monopolised by a few candidates. The MCC is not enforceable by law. Electoral malpractice has appeared in new forms.With the development of technology, Media and Social Media used as tools for voter bribery and manipulation. What is model code of conduct? Model Code of Conduct : UPSC IAS The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced dates for the all-important 2019 Lok Sabha polls with the model code of conduct coming into force . On the polling day, the Code asks all party candidates to cooperate to the poll-duty officials at the voting booths for an orderly voting process. The MCC forbids ministers (of state and central governments) from. It recommended that the MCC be made a part of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Background: The MCC is a set of instructions to be followed by both political parties and candidates contesting elections on general conduct, campaigning, meetings etc.