The Election Commission (ECI) on Saturday March 16, announced the schedule of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
As soon as the poll panel released the dates i.e the country will vote in seven phases in the Lok Sabha elections, from April 19 to June1 and the results will be announced on June 4, they also released the Model Code Of Conduct(MCC). The MCC was then and there implemented and authorities was seen removing the posters of the political parties from the streets of Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun.
While announcing the dates, Rajiv Kumar the Chief Election Commissioner asked all the political parties and their leaders to strictly follow the MCC guidelines, which lays down a list of dos and don’ts for the leaders and parties to follow before the elections. Kumar says ,” It is our promise to deliver a national election in a manner that we….remain a beacon for democracy around the world”.
What is Model Code of Conduct(MCC)?
The MCC of Election Commission of India is a set of guidelines issued to regulate political party candidates prior to the actual elections. The rules range from issues related to speeches, polling day , polling booths , portfolios, the content of election manifestos, processions, and general conduct, so that free and fair elections are conducted.
MCC comes into force from the day the election schedule is announced until the date that results are out. This means that the MCC will start from today evening and will remain effect until the election process is concluded.
The MCC contains eight provisions dealing with general conduct, meetings, polling day, polling booths, observers, the party in power and elections are conducted.
As a part of the MCC rules, 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 anyway influence the voting behavior. Also the parties must try to 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.
Removal of banners and posters
The district election department has removed over 10K posters and banners after the model code of conduct came into effect on March16 on go to the upcoming general elections.
Of total defacements removed, 9,361 were on public properties and the remaining on private spaces across the district. According to the Election Commission’s (EC) guidelines on model code of conduct state that all wall writings, posters, banners, flags or any defacements in any other form should be taken down within 24 hours from the announcement of election dates.
Under Election Commission’s flagship program (SVEEP) for voter education, the Noida election department has asked the multiplexes to play 5-minutes long films on elections before screening the movie to create awareness among the people.
Manish Kumar Verma, District Magistrate, also held a meeting with officials over poll preparations on Wednesday. The DM appointed nodal officers for management of manpower, training, transport and computerization, cyber security, SVEEPP activities, law and order, media certification and monitoring committee.
As per sources, the DM also had separate meetings with representatives of the political parties and informed them about the randomization of EVMs. Meanwhile, the police and excise department have intensified their checking in the district in the light of elections and even arrested two persons in separate cases illegal liquor in Noida.
The Election Commission ordered the removal of West Bengal DGP during previous elections. Sawhney ordered political parties to remove political ads from private properties by March 19, 3 pm, or submit property owner consent before the 72-hour deadline after the Model Code of Conduct announcement, stressing strict consequences for non-compliance.
