ENFORCEMENT OF MODEL CODE OF

CONDUCT

Senthil Pandian, C.District Magistrate , Ballia (UP).

Democracy off the people, far the people and

buy the people…

Election Process Devoid of MCC results in

DEMOCRACY TO A COMMON MAN WITH OUT, MCC.

BIGGER THE VALLET BIGGER THE CHANCE

HOW THE CAMPAIGNS USED TO BE

MCC IS THE HEART OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS

WHAT IS MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT- Set of consented guiding norms for political parties ,

candidates, election machinery and electors to conduct free and fair poll.

* Applies to all and broadly deals with general conduct (political parties and candidates),manner of organising meetings, processions, and poll day observations and conduct of party in power.

The above includes- electoral offences, malpractices and corrupt practices. Impersonation , bribing and inducement of voters,threat

and intimidation not allowed. Equal rights to party in power as well as opposition No face lifting campaign on public exchequer , or release

of discretionary funds. No foundation stones for any new project. No vote appeal on caste, creed, sex, religion or regional

grounds. No personal remarks during campaigns Impartial government machinery.

VICIOUS CAMPAIGNS , FORCES OF CASTE, BOGUS VOTING,CAPTURING AND MUSCLE POWER PREVAILED….AND …..

WHY MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT - Providing level playing field to every one. Generating trust among the masses regarding the poll

process. To curb allurement and wooing of voters. Reminding once again the official machinery to remain fair. To protect the civil rights of the citizens. To ensure participation of general public in the making of the

government transparently and fearlessly. Providing opportunity to all to enter into politics and decision

making process. Avoiding conflicts between the parties and maintaining peace

and order. Preventing misuse of power.

Result of MCC………..

THIS IS MCC WHICH MAKES THE SPINE OF VOTER TO GROW

MAJOR WEAPONS IN THE ARMORY-

Strict vigil on the conduct of political parties and candidates. Nothing unlawful is allowed.

Excuse me…..you can not use your official position or power , to influence any voter.

Sorry..its not the party time. No public dinner, inaugurations, liquor or money distribution and no new schemes.

No transfers of officials related to election process and transfers of officers glued to their posts from long time.

Feel good. Your minister or political boss can not ask you to meet him.

No litter on the streets and public property please, and no 24×7 screaming on the loudspeakers.

Don’t mix work with election. It will taste bad.

Time to get on toes Pre notification period- Prepare a platform to conduct a free poll mainly

through creation of awareness. District level committee chaired by DEO and

appointment of OC (MCC). Members:-SP,CDO,CMO, all SDMs,DIO (NIC) and

district level officers of education and panchayati raj. Media persons as special invitees.

Selection and appointment of master trainers by the committee (block level officials in different departments like education,ICDS,engineering etc.

Training and monitoring of master trainers AC wise, by ROs.

Training at Nyaya Panchayat level in two sessions, by master trainers.

*Government employees including BLOs.

*Public personnel and BLAs of political parties. Making officers responsible for the compliance of the

code in their offices and premises including district websites.

Exclusive training for political parties. Organising quiz competitions in intermediate and degree

colleges. Exclusive workshop for media. Involvement of NGOs for creating awareness,

preparing handbills, posters and banners. Use of local media. Watch on probable candidates.

WHEN THE GAME STARTS -

Post Notification period –

Effective control rooms at district and Sub Division level-complaint monitoring system.

Formation of four sub committees-

* Awareness.

* Intelligence (LIU,Revenue,Development)

* Enforcement.(Revenue, Police and Municipal officers) in public places,meetings and processions.

* Expenditure monitoring.(Senior Treasury Officers as in-charge with sub treasury officers AC wise) Daily update to DEO.

AC wise enforcement committee consists of-

* Tahsildar,NT with RIs and lekhpals.

* SHO\So with police constables.

* EO\BDO\ADO with their field level workers.

* Safai Karmcharis (Sweepers) with adequate equipments.

* Videographers.

Distribution of pamphlets regarding Dos and Don’ts and penal provisions to political parties,candidates, officers (ready reckoner).

JOURNEY SOFAR…. The code has come a long way, every year adding

new features to it. No candidate ever has been barred from contesting

elections, on fouling the MCC. MCC - a toothless and claw less lion ? Cities are cleaner and ears are at rest during

campaigns. Dummy candidates are new pattern to fetch extra

facilities in the garb of the MCC. Use of electronic medium has increased and the

money plays a pivotal role. Surrogate advertising has increased. Sponsored news and impact features are the new

pattern. The code has resulted in water shed elections in

recent past in UP and Bihar.

LIMITATIONS - No system to implement the MCC in pre notification

period. Enforcement of MCC is relied on various acts and legal

provisions. MCC dealing with defacement of property differs from

state to state. Poor control on media to check surrogate

advertisement and sponsored campaigning. MCC is suggestive and debarment of any party or

candidate seldom happens. Ah….we know that after the elections we will be with

the same political system.

TIME TO TAKE NEW AVATAR - There must be a compendium of all the possible

violations with punitive measures, which requires continuous updation.

At ECI level “guidelines and action forum” may be developed to deal with media specially to deal with surrogated news items.

DEO to be empowered to decide cases of violations except references of legal nature.

Tracking of probable candidates between pre notification and nomination.

Yet to set an example by debarring some for violating MCC. So far debarment only for non filing expenditure details.

Defacement of public property whether central or state, should not be allowed at any cost.

Election expenditures only from the date of nominations.

MCC should stay in force in limited form even after the completion of election process.

Pre and post election immunity from transfers for at least 3 months .

Finally despite strong MCC…….

THE POOR JEINIE…YOU HAVE TO SELECT A BETTER ONE..

POLITICS IS ABOUT OPTIMISM…..KEEP OPTIONS OPEN……

POWER SHARING….BEFORE AND AFTER AMONG THE FAVORED ONES….ALWAYS

LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST

Model Code of Conduct has generated faith in the hearts of the citizens, that there is some one looking and safeguarding their electoral rights. Parties and candidates to the fray should understand it clearly that MCC is not only suggestive and preventive, but punitive and curative as well……for the politicians too.

Jai Hind.