Evolution of the Model Code of Conduct:
Introduction: The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to regulate the conduct of political parties and candidates during the electoral process. It lays down the standards of behavior that are expected of political parties and candidates during the election process. The MCC has undergone several changes and revisions over the years to reflect the changing political landscape in India and to address the emerging issues and challenges in the electoral process.
Constitutional Provisions: Article 324 of the Indian Constitution gives the ECI the power to superintend, direct and control the conduct of elections to the Parliament and the State Legislatures. The ECI has the authority to issue the MCC under this provision. The MCC is based on the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961. These laws provide the legal framework for the conduct of elections in India and the MCC serves as a supplement to these laws.
Evolution: The first MCC was issued by the ECI in the year 1960 and has been amended several times over the years to keep pace with the changing times. The most recent version of the MCC was issued in 2019.
1961: The first MCC was issued by the ECI in 1961, ahead of the general elections in 1962. It covered only the basic principles of free and fair elections, such as the prohibition of the use of government machinery for electoral purposes and the prohibition of the use of communal or religious appeals in election campaigns.
1971: The MCC was revised in 1971 to include new guidelines on the use of government facilities and resources during the electoral process, and the use of money and muscle power in elections.
1985: The MCC was further revised in 1985 to include new guidelines on the use of the electronic media during the electoral process and the conduct of opinion polls.
1989: The MCC was further revised in 1989 to include new guidelines on the use of the print media during the electoral process and the conduct of exit polls.
2013: The MCC was further revised in 2013 to include new guidelines on the use of social media during the electoral process, the use of paid news, and the regulation of political advertisements.
2018 : In 2018, the Model Code of Conduct was revised to include guidelines on the use of celebrity campaigners and the restriction on the use of religious symbols and places of worship for campaign purposes.
2019 : The most recent revision of the Model Code of Conduct happened in 2019, to include guidelines on the use of drones for campaigning and the prohibition of photographs of defence personnel in political advertisements without prior permission from the ECI.
Example:
The MCC is enforced during the electoral process to ensure that the political parties and candidates abide by the guidelines issued by the ECI.
1.During the 2019 general elections in India, the ECI issued a notice to the ruling party for violating the MCC by using the name and symbols of the armed forces in their campaign material.
2.In 2019, the ECI acted against several political parties and candidates for violating the MCC during the Lok Sabha elections. This included the disqualification of a candidate for making communal statements and the imposition of fines on several parties for not accounting for their expenses.
Conclusion: The MCC has evolved over the years to address the emerging issues and challenges in the electoral process in India. It plays a crucial role in ensuring free and fair elections in the country and promoting a level playing field for all political parties and candidates. However, enforcement of the MCC remains a challenge as political parties often violate the guidelines issued by the ECI.
