We all know that the Lok Sabha elections will be conducted in the next 1-2 months, but do you know what happens if the parties do not follow the major and most important rules? If you don’t then.
Have a look at this article to know about Mode Code of Conduct (MCC) and what the election parties and candidates should not do during the elections and what happens if the parties do that.
Why Bill Boards Are Coverd or Taken Out During Elections
You all might have observed white clothes covering major bill boards and statues in the cities during the elections and that observation might get into a question why do the government do that right?
If you wonder why, then you are in the right place. we are going to explain all the similar things what government and parties does and do not during the elections. During the election period government implements Mode Code of Conduct (MCC) which has rules for parties and if anyone fail to follow those rules then they will face huge penalty, ban from fighting those elections.
What Parties Should Not Do In Achar Sanahita (MCC)?
- The political parties at central level or state level cannot use official positioning for political campaigns. This means candidates cannot campaign by stating their government position.
- Political parties can only campaign using their work records while campaigns with or at caste, communal sentiments, mosque, church, mandir cannot be used.
- Any political parties can-not use public money or tax with official news media as it largely affects & influence voting.
- Parties cannot use newspapers advertisements as it influences large number of voters & it’s totally illegal.
- Ruling party cannot use government machinery & transport for campaigns. While campaign facilities of helipad and public places tour etc., should also be provided to opposition too.
- Bribing and double voting, intimating of voters is strictly not allowed.
- No party can Campaign during 48-hour period on election day for giving free environment for voters to think.
- Political parties cannot canvass within 100 meters of polling booths at the time of election day.
- Holding public meetings prior to 48 hours to closing of polls and distributing liquor on polling day is also prohibited.
- No political parties can make any payment over Rs10,000 in cash per day to anyone during election code or MCC.
MCC is a set of guidelines published by Election Commission of India for political candidates and parties. The parties and candidates must follow the guidelines and if not followed then strict action will be taken.
All organizations committees, corporates commissions funded wholly or partially by center or state should follow the MCC guidelines. The MCC becomes active once the election schedule is announced and remains until the date of result of elections.
What Govenment Does?
- Union minsters will need prior approval of election commission on any policy announcements and other announcements into public.
- State or central governments must keep public places like Maidans and helipads available impartially for all parties and candidates to ensure equality.
- Political parties and candidates are limited from making any kind of promises along with announcement or release of any kind of government schemes.
- During the election year the central government cannot present a full budget as there might be changes in the ruling government after the elections.
- The government can only release ex-gratia amount for release of PM/CM relief funds or any kind of emergency situations, natural disasters however, the declaration or confirmation of `drought & flood affected area can be done only by EC’s approval.
- Even government cannot publish the achievements in any kind of media or hoardings during the MCC alongside political functions highlighting government work which should not be done.
Procedure Of Mis Conduct
The complaints regarding the violation of MCC guidelines should be brought to the EC observers such as Returning officer, local magistrate, chief electoral officer, election commission.
Once EC receives any kind of complaints regarding the violation of MCC guidelines then the EC send SHOW CASE NOTICE to the violated party to explain about the violation. The party or candidate will be given time to explain the violation upon which the EC decides what should be done next in the process.
If they fail to report then they need to face further proceedings for sure based on type of complaint. Then EC appoints a committee to evaluate the condition and proceed further in violation case. The EC has introduced C-Vigil application for citizens to report on matters of political mis-conduct and violation during MCC.
The citizens should have evidence for giving complaint either in video or photo format and must tag the location. Where local police officers will be sent to investigate the matter. If the candidate or party found guilty then as per rules they will be disqualified from the election.
Impact of Violations By Election Parties Or Candidates
The EC still does not have any kind of judicial option to penalize the violators regarding the violation.
MCC does not have a huge backup over violations but strictly followed by EC, where parties and candidates also must follow the same. Though punishment is not given directly it is given under corresponding provisions.
We all must know that EC cannot make MCC as legal during elections but takes action when the guidelines are violated by any party or candidate. It has become more difficult and challenging for EC to face new technologies and social media during election period since it is difficult to tackle every small situation somewhere and then.
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