- The Election Commission has amended the Part 8 of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).It deals with the election manifesto.
- The amended model code states that (a)In case of single phase election,manifesto shall not be released during the prohibitory period and (b)In case of multi-phase elections,manifesto shall not be released during the prohibitory periods of all the phases of those elections. Earlier, there was no provision in the Model code of conduct on the timing of manifesto release.
- Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act,1951 imposes election silence period which prohibits any form of election campaign in the last 48 hours leading up to voting.It gives voters a peaceful condition to consider and make a final decision on their vote
- Election manifestos are pamphlet or the booklet issued by a political party that tells people about its programmes and policies.It is issued by the political parties who are contesting elections.
- Election manifestos guidelines were added under MCC in the year 2013.These guidelines prohibit parties from making promises that exert an undue influence on voters and suggest that manifestos should also indicate the means to achieve promises.
- The Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections.The rules range from issues related to respect to (a)speeches (b)polling day, (c)polling booths (d)portfolios (e)content of election manifestos, (f)processions and (g)general conduct,so that free and fair elections are conducted.The MCC comes into force from the date the election schedule is announced until the date that results are out.
- The Representation of People Act,1951 is an act of Parliament of India which provides (a)the conduct of elections of the Houses of Parliament and to the House of the Legislature of each State (b)the qualifications and disqualifications for membership of those Houses and (c)the corrupt practices,decisions,doubts and disputes arising in connection with such elections.
