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UPSC Mains 2022

Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in the light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct.

General Studies Paper - 2, Topic: Model Code of Conduct

Dec 29, 2022

2 min read

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a constitutional body responsible for conducting and overseeing elections in India. The ECI plays a crucial role in ensuring that elections in India are free, fair, and transparent.

 

One of the key responsibilities of the ECI is to enforce the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the election period. The MCC is a set of guidelines that aim to ensure that elections are conducted in a fair and transparent manner. It applies to all political parties and candidates and sets out the rules and regulations that must be followed during the election period.

 

The MCC has evolved over time and has been amended several times to keep up with changing circumstances. The MCC was first formulated by the ECI in the 1960s and has since been revised several times to address new challenges and to ensure that elections are conducted in a fair and transparent manner.

 

In recent years, the ECI has taken several steps to strengthen the MCC and to ensure that it is effectively enforced. For example, the ECI has introduced stricter rules and penalties for candidates and political parties that violate the MCC, and has set up a system to monitor and enforce compliance with the MCC.

 

In conclusion, the Election Commission of India plays a crucial role in ensuring that elections in India are free, fair, and transparent. The ECI is responsible for enforcing the Model Code of Conduct, which sets out the rules and regulations that must be followed during the election period. The MCC has evolved over time to address new challenges and to ensure that elections are conducted in a fair and transparent manner.

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