New Delhi: With the Election Commission of India announcing the assembly election schedule for Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur, the model code of conduct has come into force in these five states with immediate effect.
“The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into force immediately after the announcement of the programme. The Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements to ensure effective implementation of the MCC guidelines,” said Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra.
“Any violation of these guidelines will be dealt with strictly,” Chandra said while announcing the assembly election schedule.
What is the Model Code of Conduct?
The Model Code of Conduct or “Code of Conduct” is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission with respect to political parties and candidates during elections, mainly speeches, polling days, polling stations, departments, election manifestos, processions during elections. . normal conduct.
All ruling and contesting parties must adhere to the Model Code of Conduct, which comes into force immediately after the election schedule is announced by the Election Commission, to ensure free and fair elections.
Designed to prevent practices considered corrupt, these sets of norms have been developed with the consent of political parties, who have agreed to abide by the principles contained in the said code in their letter and spirit.
The main objective of the model code of conduct, which remains in force till the declaration of the final result, is to ensure that the ruling parties, both at the Center and in the respective states, do not misuse their position of advantage. improper edge.
Violation of Model Code of Conduct:
Under Article 324 of the Constitution, the Election Commission of India is empowered to summon any party or candidate against whom a complaint has been lodged.
In case of violation, the poll panel usually sends a “show cause notice” to the alleged party and seeks valid reasoning as to why action should not be initiated against them.
The said party will have to respond in writing to the notice of the Election Commission.
Failure to do so, the party concerned will have to follow the proceedings of the Election Commission on the merits of the complaint.
The poll panel also appoints a committee to evaluate the conduct of the alleged party.
Assembly Election Schedule:
Voting in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases from February 10 to March 7.
Assembly elections in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa will be held in a single phase on February 14.
Manipur will go to polls in two phases on February 27 and March 3.
The results of all the five states will be declared on March 10.
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