Political Parties Do's and Don'ts During the Election Period

All of you will know that with the announcement of the election by the Election Commission, the Model Election Code of Conduct comes into force in that area, and it remains in force until Election does not end. Several types of guidelines on political parties, candidates and the public to maintain the accuracy of the elections to be held during the election period by the Election Commission. (Guidelines) are issued. It is mandatory for all political parties and candidates to follow these guidelines. Violation of these can be punished under the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of the People Act, 1951, because the guidelines in the Model Code of Conduct are not followed. There is no provision for punishment for doing so.

The Model Election Code of Conduct is issued by the Election Commission under its executive powers, most of its principles are not legally recognized. All the political parties themselves have expressed mutual consent to follow it and on the other hand it is the moral duty of the Election Commission to ensure that the code of conduct is followed in support of public opinion. The Election Commission, under Article 324 of the Constitution of India, exercises its powers in accordance with its mandated responsibility of conducting free and fair elections.

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‘Do’s and ‘Don’ts Issued by the Election Commission

In the same order, 'Do's and 'Don'ts during the Election Period by Political Parties and Election Candidates and their workers Guidelines are issued by the Election Commission, which are mentioned in the Model Election Code of Conduct.

What should we do ?

• The right of every individual to a peaceful and disturbance free domestic life should be fully secured.
• It will be the responsibility of the Election Commission to provide equal opportunity to all parties and candidates. Public places like grounds, helipads, platforms should be made available fairly.
• Criticism of other political parties and candidates during the election period should be limited only to their policies, programs and previous records and works.
• In the context of any proposed meeting / procession, all necessary permission should be taken well in advance.
• Complete information about the venue of the proposed processions/meetings and their time duration should be given to the local police officers.
• The Prohibition Order, if any, applicable at the place of the proposed assembly/procession, should be fully respected and followed.

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• The starting and ending point and location of any procession and the route of the procession should be decided in advance and advance permission should be taken from the police officers.
• The places/routes through which the procession has to pass, the traffic rules/restrictions/road diversions applicable on those routes should be known in advance and they should be followed completely.
• Permission should be obtained for the use of loudspeaker or other such facility for the proposed meeting.
• The help of the police should be taken in dealing with persons who create disturbance and disorder in meetings and processions.
• There should not be any hindrance to the traffic in taking out the procession.
• All election officers should be cooperated to ensure peaceful and orderly polling.
• All political workers should wear badge or identity card.
• The identity slip issued to the voters should be on white paper. There should not be any symbol or candidate's name on it.
• Restrictions on plying of vehicles on the day of polling should be strictly followed.
• Any complaint/problem related to election can be sent to the Observer/Returning Officer/Zonal Magistrate/Sector Magistrate/Chief Election Commisioner/Election Commission. ) should be brought to the notice of
• If any worker/campaigner is not the voter/candidate/election officer of that constituency, he/she should leave the constituency after the campaign is over i.e. 48 hours before polling.
• Political parties should not make any cash payment of more than Rs 10,000 in a day to any person / company / institution, except in areas where –
• No bank is facility. Like – remote village or town etc.
• The payment has been made to an employee/officer of the party in the form of salary, pension or reimbursement of expenses etc.
• Cash payment made under any law.

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What not to Do ?

• No inducement, bribery, financial gain or otherwise should be given to the voter.
• Voters should not be intimidated, threatened, doing so is punishable under section 135 (a) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
• Voters should not vote in the name of any other person. Doing so is an 'election offence' as per section 171 (d) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
• Voters should not be brought and taken from their vehicle to the polling place. Doing so is 'corrupt practice' and 'electoral offence' under section 123 (5) and section 133 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
• No appeal should be made to the electors on the basis of caste, creed or religion.
• No such activity should be done, which increases differences, creates tension and hatred between different castes / communities / religious / linguistic groups.
• Criticism is not to be made by a leader / worker of another political party on any aspect of the private life of a leader / worker of another political party, which is not connected with public activity.
• One should not criticize any leader/activist by distorting the statement on the basis of unverified allegations.
• Any religious place like temple / mosque / church / gurudwara etc. should not be used for election campaign including speech, poster, music etc. or election related work.

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• Demonstration / picketing / any activity should not be done in front of a person's house in protest against his opinion.
• Political parties/candidates will avoid any kind of cash transaction and will instruct their office bearers, officers and workers not to carry huge amount of cash.
• The procession will not be taken out at the place where any other political party/candidate is holding meetings.
• No such item will be allowed to be carried in the procession, which can be used as a weapon or missile.
• Carrying National Symbols in meetings/processions should not insult its dignity.
• Posters put up by other parties/candidates should not be removed or damaged.
• Posters, flags, symbols or other propaganda material should not be displayed on the day of poll at the place of polling / near polling stations (within 100 meters radius) in distribution of identity slips.
• Loudspeakers should not be used in meetings and processions without prior permission, which means their use will be prohibited.
• Loudspeakers (fixed on or moving vehicles) should not be used between 10 pm to 6 am.
• Any type of liquor distribution will be prohibited during the election.
• The tour related to the official work of any minister will not be linked to the election campaign / election campaign.

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