What is the Model Code of Conduct?

By M H Ahssan

Disallows Comments On Private Lives Of Workers Of Other Party

The Model Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates is a set of election commission guidelines about their conduct after the announcement of elections. It includes instructions about holding of meetings, organising processions and also the conduct of parties on polling days. It comes into force immediately after the announcement of elections.

What are the guidelines for general conduct?
The code prohibits parties and candidates from indulging in activities that can cause tension between people of different regions, castes, communities or religions. Mosques, churches, temples or other places of worship should not be used as forums for election propaganda. Parties have to ensure that their supporters do not create any obstruction in functions organised by other parties. Even removal of another party’s posters is considered a violation of the code.

The code also disallows comments on the private lives of leaders or workers of other parties. Apart from this, no political party or candidate is permitted to use any individual’s land, building, compound wall, etc., without the owners permission for erecting flag-staffs, suspending banners, pasting notices, writing slogans and so on. Voters can not be intimidated or bribed in any way to vote for a particular party or candidate.

Doesn’t the ruling party have an advantage over others?
One of the main objectives of the code is to level the playing field. The code ensures that a party in power, whether at the Centre or in a state, can not use the official machinery or personnel for electioneering work. The use of government transport, including official aircraft and other vehicles for election campaign, is prohibited by the code. Election related advertisements at public expense and the misuse of official mass media for coverage of political news and publicity is also not allowed. Apart from this, the code ensures that other parties also have an equal opportunity for holding election meetings at public places like ‘maidans’ and using public infrastructure like helipads and government guest houses for election purposes.

Can’t the ruling party manipulate elections by taking major policy decision?
From the day of the announcement of election, even before the formal notification, the code prohibits ministers from sanctioning grants and other related payments out of discretionary funds. Ministers and political persons are also not allowed to lay foundation stones of any new project or scheme once the code is in force. Any ad-hoc appointments in government or any other related public undertaking is also not allowed.

What is the code for the polling day?
Every party has to issue badges and identity cards to its authorised workers for proper identification purpose. Unnecessary crowd outside the candidate’s camp is not allowed as it can lead to clashes between different contesting parties. No food or refreshment can be served to voters. Apart from this, the code also tries to ensure that there is no distribution of liquor on the polling day or 24 hours before the polls.