INDIA: ELECTIONS 2014 (MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT)

                                                 

                                                 MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT (FAQ)

1. WHAT IS MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT? : THE MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR GUIDANCE OF POLITICAL PARTIES AND CANDIDATES IS A SET OF NORMS WHICH HAS BEEN EVOLVED WITH CONSENSUS OF POLITICAL PARTIES WHO HAVE CONSENTED TO ABIDE BY THE PRINCIPLES EMBODIED IN THE SAID CODE AND ALSO BIND THE TO RESPECT AND OBSERVE IT IN ITS LETTER AND SPIRIT.
2. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF ELECTION COMMISSION IN THE MATTER? : THE ELECTION COMMISSION ENSURES ITS OBSERVANCE BY POLITICAL PARTY OR PARTIES IN POWER,INCLUDING RULING PARTIES AT THE CENTRE AND IN THE STATES AND CONTESTING CANDIDATES IN THE DISCHARGE OF ITS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTIES FOR CONDUCTING FREE,FAIR AND PEACEFUL ELECTIONS TO THE PARLIAMENT AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE UNDER ARTICLE 324 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA.IT IS ALSO ENSURED THAT OFFICIAL MACHINERY FOR THE ELECTORAL PURPOSE IS NOT MISUSED.FURTHER,IT IS ALSO ENSURED THAT ELECTORAL OFFENCES , MALPRACTICES AND CORRUPT PRACTICES SUCH AS IMPERSONATION,BRIBING AND INDUCEMENT OF VOTERS ,THREAT AND INTIMIDATION TO THE VOTERS ARE PREVENTED BY ALL MEANS.IN CASE OF VIOLATION,APPROPRIATE MEASURES ARE TAKEN.
3. FROM WHICH DATE MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT IS ENFORCED AND OPERATIONAL UP TO WHICH DATE? : THE MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT IS ENFORCED FROM THE DATE OF ANNOUNCEMENT OF ELECTION SCHEDULE BY THE ELECTION COMMISSION AND IS OPERATIONAL TILL THE PROCESS OF ELECTIONS ARE COMPLETED.
4. WHAT IS APPLICABILITY OF CODE DURING GENERAL ELECTIONS AND BYE-ELECTION? : (a) DURING GENERAL ELECTIONS TO HOUSE OF PEOPLE (LOK SABHA),THE CODE IS APPLICABLE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.(b) DURING GENERAL ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (VIDHAN SABHA),THE CODE IS APPLICABLE IN THE ENTIRE STATE.(c) DURING BYE-ELECTIONS,THE CODE IS APPLICABLE IN THE ENTIRE DISTRICT OR IN DISTRICTS IN WHICH THE CONSTITUENCY FALLS.
5. WHAT ARE THE SALIENT FEATURES OF THE MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT? : THE SALIENT FEATURE OF THE MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT LAYS DOWN HOW POLITICAL PARTIES,CONTESTING CANDIDATES AND PARTY OR PARTIES IN POWER SHOULD CONDUCT THEMSELVES DURING THE PROCESS OF ELECTIONS  i.e. ON THEIR GENERAL CONDUCT DURING ELECTIONEERING,HOLDING MEETINGS AND PROCESSION,POLL DAY ACTIVITIES AND FUNCTIONING OF THE PARTY IN POWER etc.