Lok Sabha Elections 2024: What all will change once election dates are announced?

Election Commission of India

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to declare Lok Sabha Election dates on March 16. As soon as the dates are declared, Model Code of Conduct (MCC) will be enforced nationwide in India. The MCC will stay in place till Lok Sabha Election results are declared.

Model Code of Conduct?

The Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for the conduct of political parties and candidates during elections mainly with respect to speeches, meetings, processions, polling day, polling booths, party in power, and general conduct.

Government schemes restricted

The PM Narendra Modi-led government, and other state governments will be prohibited from annoucing any financial grants, making promises, or to lay foundation stones.

Ministers not allowed to sanction grants, payments

Once MCC is in place following the annoucement of Lok Sabha poll dates, ministers cannot sanction grants or payments from discretionary funds.

Government resource cannot be used for polls

As soon as the Model Code of Conduct comes into place, the governmental authorities cannot use government resources for election work, and the use of official machinery or personnel for electioneering is also prohibited.

Partisan coverave restricted

The ECI mentions that as soon as MCC comes into place, ministers and other authoritarian figures cannot use money from public exchequer for advertising their parties in newspapers or other media.

Ad-hoc appointments prohibited

Ad-hoc appointments in government or PSUs that could influence voters in favour of the ruling party are barred.