The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into effect immediately upon announcement of election schedule by the Election Commission and remains in force until:

MCC timing and enforcement: (a) MCC applicability: (i) Start: Immediately upon announcement of election schedule by ECI, (ii) End: Until declaration of results (not until oath-taking or government formation), (b) Rationale: (i) Level playing field: MCC ensures no party/ candidate uses official position, government resources for electoral advantage during campaign period, (ii) Fair process: Restrictions on speeches, advertisements, use of government machinery ensure fair electoral process, (iii) Result focus: MCC ends with result declaration because electoral process complete; post-result governance transitions handled by other norms, (c) Applications: (i) Campaign regulation: Restrictions on rallies, advertisements, use of government vehicles, officials during campaign, (ii) Social media: ECI guidelines for digital campaigning, monitoring misinformation during MCC period, (iii) Enforcement: ECI can censure, warn, ban campaigning for MCC violations; serious violations may attract action under R.P. Act, IPC, (d) Challenges: (i) Digital age: Regulating social media, digital campaigns under MCC requires new approaches, (ii) Enforcement consistency: Ensuring uniform MCC enforcement across States, parties, (iii) Awareness: Candidates, parties, officials need awareness of MCC provisions, procedures, (e) Illustrates electoral integrity: MCC operationalizes ECI's constitutional mandate under Article 324 to ensure free/fair elections; timing ensures restrictions apply during critical campaign period, ending with result declaration.