Model Code of Conduct

In News

The TMC has written to the EC alleging that the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Bangladesh violated the model code of conduct in place for the West Bengal Assembly polls.

About

• The Prime Minister has visited Bangladesh to participate in the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Bangladesh and the birth centenary of ‘Bangabandhu’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 26.

Model Code of Conduct(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.
  • This is in keeping with Article 324 of the Constitution, which gives the Election Commission the power to supervise elections to the Parliament and state legislatures.
• The MCC is operational from the date that the election schedule is announced till the date that results are announced.
• The form of the MCC was first introduced in the state assembly elections in Kerala in 1960.
• The MCC is not enforceable by law.
  • However, certain provisions of the MCC may be enforced through invoking corresponding provisions in other statutes such as the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and Representation of the People Act, 1951.
• Evolution: The Election Commission issued the code for the first time in 1971 (5th Election) and revised it from time to time.
  • This 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 and also binds them to respect and observe it in its letter and spirit.

Source: TH