The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is a set of guidelines, a concept and ethical framework, issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to regulate the conduct of political parties and candidates during elections. Its primary objective is to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections by providing a level playing field and preventing the misuse of official machinery by the party in power. The MCC's origin traces back to the 1960 Assembly elections in Kerala, where the state administration drafted a 'Code of Conduct' for political actors. The ECI circulated this code to all recognized political parties and state governments for the 1962 Lok Sabha elections, marking its national debut. A significant turning point occurred in 1991 when the ECI decided to enforce the MCC more stringently following repeated violations of election norms.
The MCC comes into force immediately upon the ECI's announcement of the election schedule and remains operational until the declaration of results. It consists of several sections, including guidelines for general conduct, meetings, processions, polling day, and the party in power. Key provisions prohibit candidates from appealing for votes on the basis of caste or religion, criticizing the private life of opponents, or using places of worship for election propaganda. Crucially, the MCC restricts the party in power from announcing any new financial grants, projects, or schemes, or using government transport and personnel for campaigning, to prevent an unfair advantage.
While the MCC is not a legally enforceable act or statute, it derives its authority from the ECI's constitutional mandate under Article 324 to supervise and conduct elections. It connects to existing statutes like the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, and the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951, as certain violations of the MCC, such as bribery or intimidation, are punishable under these laws. The MCC has evolved, with the ECI including guidelines for election manifestos in 2013 following a Supreme Court directive, which mandates that promises must not vitiate the purity of the election process. More recently, the guidelines have been updated to address contemporary issues like social media campaigning.