The Indian Election Commission has announced dates for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls with the country voting in seven phases from April 11 to May 19 and the with results on May 23.

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into effect from today itself and called upon all parties to strictly adhere to the same.

The Model Code of Conduct code lays down a list of dos and don’ts for the political parties ahead of elections.

We have decoded the Model Code of Conduct for you.

 What is the Model Code of Conduct?

The Indian Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections.

The rules range from issues related to respect to speeches, polling day, polling booths, portfolios, content of election manifestos, processions and general conduct, so that free and fair elections are conducted.

When does the Model Code of Conduct come into effect?

According to the Press Information Bureau, a version of the MCC was first introduced in the state assembly elections in Kerala in 1960. It was largely followed by all parties in the 1962 elections and continued to be followed in subsequent general elections. In October 1979, the EC added a section to regulate the ‘party in power’ and prevent it from gaining an unfair advantage at the time of elections.

The MCC comes into force from the date the election schedule is announced until the date that results are out. As a result, it will kick in from today evening and will remain in effect until the election process is concluded.

What restrictions does the Model Code of Conduct impose?

The MCC contains eight provisions dealing with general conduct, meetings, processions, polling day, polling booths, observers, the party in power, and election manifestos.

As soon as the code kicks in, the party in power — whether at the Centre or in the States — should ensure that it does not use its official position for campaigning. Hence, no policy, project or scheme can be announced that can influence the voting behaviour.

The party must also avoid advertising at the cost of the public exchequer or using official mass media for publicity on achievements to improve chances of victory in the elections.

The code also states that the ministers must not combine official visits with election work or use official machinery for the same.

The ruling party also cannot use government transport or machinery for campaigning.

It should also ensure that public places such as grounds etc., for holding election meetings, and facilities like the use of helipads are provided to the opposition parties on the same terms and conditions on which they are used by the party in power.

The issue of advertisement at the cost of public exchequer in the newspapers and other media is also considered an offence.

The ruling government cannot make any ad-hoc appointments in Government, Public Undertakings etc. which may influence the voters

Political parties or candidates can be criticised based only on their work record and no caste and communal sentiments can be used to lure voters.

Mosques, Churches, Temples or any other places of worship should not be used for election propaganda.

Bribing, intimidating or impersonation of voters is also barred.

Holding public meetings during the 48-hour period before the hour fixed for the closing of the poll is also prohibited.

The 48-hour period is known as “election silence”.

The idea is to allow a voter a campaign-free environment to reflect on events before casting her vote

Is the Model Code of Conduct legally binding?

The fact is the MCC evolved as part of the ECI’s drive to ensure free and fair elections and was the result of a consensus among major political parties.

It has no statutory backing.

Simply put, this means anybody breaching the MCC can’t be proceeded against under any clause of the Code.

Everything is voluntary. The EC uses moral sanction or censure for its enforcement.

The ECI can issue a notice to a politician or a party for alleged breach of the MCC either on its own or on the basis of a complaint by another party or individual.

Once a notice is issued, the person or party must reply in writing — either accepting fault and tendering an unconditional apology or rebutting the allegation.

In the latter case, if the person or party is found guilty subsequently, he/it can attract a written censure from the ECI — something that many see as a mere slap on the wrist. (With inputs from agencies)