The Election Commission of India has rejected the government’s claim that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) disrupts development during elections. Emphasizing the MCC’s importance for electoral fairness, the EC notes that while simultaneous elections could reduce MCC duration, its role in maintaining democratic integrity is crucial. The commission’s views inform discussions on unified elections.
New Delhi: Amid the ongoing debate over the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, the Election Commission of India (EC) has firmly rejected the government’s argument that the frequent imposition of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) disrupts development work and public life. The EC emphasized that the MCC is a “vital instrumentality” for ensuring fairness and equity in the electoral process.
The government’s legislative push for unified elections highlights the challenges posed by recurring elections, including financial costs and administrative burdens. A constitutional amendment proposal in this regard claims that the MCC enforcement during election cycles hampers development programs and diverts resources, disrupting regular governance and service delivery.
The government argues that by implementing simultaneous elections, the need for frequent MCC enforcement could be reduced, allowing for uninterrupted policy execution and better utilization of administrative resources.
In its response to the Law Commission’s questionnaire in March 2023, the Election Commission clarified that the MCC is “an essential tool” for maintaining a level playing field during elections. The EC dismissed the notion that the MCC disrupts governance, stating that this voluntary code, developed through consultations with political parties, ensures fair and credible elections.
The EC acknowledged that the MCC’s duration is tied to the frequency of electoral cycles and suggested that streamlining elections could naturally reduce the MCC’s overall duration. However, it maintained that its consistent efforts aim to keep the MCC period at the minimum necessary length, ensuring smooth electoral processes without undue delays.
The EC’s views have been presented to the parliamentary committee examining legislation on simultaneous elections, as well as the Ram Nath Kovind-led high-level committee on unified polls. The commission reiterated its commitment to fair elections, emphasizing that the MCC is a “cornerstone of electoral equity” that safeguards the integrity of democratic processes.
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The Law Commission had earlier sought the EC’s input regarding concerns that frequent elections and MCC enforcement lead to policy stagnation. The EC’s perspective highlights that, while simultaneous elections may streamline governance, the MCC’s role in maintaining electoral fairness cannot be undermined.
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