GK Question

polity medium true_false

The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for elections is a statutory provision enforceable by courts, and violations can lead to criminal prosecution of candidates/parties.

  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

MCC legal status: (a) MCC is NOT statutory; it's a set of guidelines evolved by consensus among political parties and enforced by ECI under Article 324's plenary powers, (b) Enforcement mechanisms: (i) ECI can censure, warn, ban campaigning, derecognize parties for MCC violations, (ii) BUT cannot impose criminal penalties; violations may attract action under R.P. Act, IPC if they constitute separate offences, (c) Supreme Court has upheld ECI's power to enforce MCC as part of 'superintendence, direction and control' of elections under Article 324, (d) Applications: (i) Campaign regulation: Restrictions on speeches, advertisements, use of government resources during elections, (ii) Social media: ECI guidelines for digital campaigning, monitoring misinformation, (e) Debate: Whether MCC should be given statutory backing for stronger enforcement; concerns about executive interference if statutory. Illustrates calibrated enforcement: ECI's moral/political authority complements legal powers under Article 324.

Topic Election Commission - Model Code of Conduct Enforcement
Exam Relevance MCC enforcement mechanism frequently asked in UPSC and SSC exams