Model Code of Conduct
ECI guidelines governing party and candidate conduct once an election is announced.
Short answer
What is Model Code of Conduct?
The Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India that governs the conduct of political parties, candidates and governments from the date an election is announced until results are declared. It covers campaign conduct, use of official machinery, government announcements and expenditure.
Definition
The Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India that governs the conduct of political parties, candidates and governments from the date an election is announced until results are declared. It covers campaign conduct, use of official machinery, government announcements and expenditure.
Why It Matters
The Code constrains what a campaign may lawfully do, and violations attract real consequences including candidate disqualification. Every campaign plan must be built inside its limits, and every volunteer must be trained on it.
Example in Indian Elections
Once the Code is in force, a state government cannot announce new schemes or transfer officials without Commission approval, which is why incumbents frequently front-load announcements before the expected announcement date.
Common Questions
Immediately upon the Election Commission announcing the election schedule, and it remains in force until the completion of the election process.
Related Terms
- Silence PeriodThe 48 hours before polling closes when public campaigning is prohibited.
- Election Expenditure LimitThe statutory cap on what a candidate may spend on their campaign.
- Candidate AffidavitThe sworn declaration of assets, liabilities and criminal cases filed at nomination.
- DPDP Act 2023India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, governing personal data processing.
- Paid NewsEditorial coverage secretly purchased and presented as independent journalism.
- Polling BoothThe individual polling station where a defined group of voters casts their votes.