The Lok Sabha elections campaignings saw a lot of MCC guidelines being flouted by the parties. Let’s delve into what MCC is all about.
Do you know what is the MCC?
As the people of Guwahati gear up to cast their votes for their favorite candidates, it's important to highlight a crucial aspect of the elections: the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Despite being asked by GPlus, many people, including students, working professionals, and housewives, were unaware of it. Let's delve into its significance.
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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 behavior 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 fairly and transparently.
Key Provisions of the MCC:
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Use of Official Position:
Ruling parties are prohibited from leveraging their official position for campaign purposes. This includes refraining from announcing policies or schemes that could potentially sway voter behavior in their favor. The MCC aims to ensure that incumbents do not misuse 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 avoid using public funds for self-promotion or campaign-related activities. Additionally, ministers are prohibited from combining their official duties with electioneering tasks, ensuring that government resources are not misappropriated for partisan purposes.
Equal Access to Facilities:
One of the fundamental principles of the MCC is to provide equal access to public spaces and facilities for all political parties participating in the electoral process. This ensures that no party is unfairly disadvantaged due to its incumbency status and helps promote a fair and competitive electoral environment.
Restrictions on Advertisement:
The MCC imposes strict restrictions on the use of public funds for advertisements and prohibits ad-hoc appointments aimed at influencing voters. By preventing the misuse of government resources for electoral purposes, the MCC aims to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and promote fair competition among political parties.
Campaigning Guidelines:
To prevent the exploitation of caste or communal sentiments for electoral gains, the MCC prohibits campaigning based on such divisive factors. Furthermore, places of worship are off-limits for election-related activities, ensuring that religious institutions remain neutral ground during the electoral process.
Prohibited Practices:
The MCC unequivocally prohibits practices such as bribery, intimidation, or voter impersonation, which undermine the integrity of elections. Additionally, holding public meetings during the 48-hour "election silence" period before polling is strictly forbidden, 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. Breaches of the MCC are addressed through moral sanction or censure by the Election Commission of India (ECI), which has the authority to issue notices to individuals or parties based on complaints or its own observations. Subsequent actions may include written censures, serving as a form of accountability within the electoral framework.
