Question

For the State Assembly Elections, the Model Code of Conduct comes into force

• A. on the day of filing nominations by the candidates
• B. on the last day of withdrawing nominations by the willing candidates
• C. on the day of announcement of election schedule
• D. on the day of announcement of election results

Hint:

The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is enforced under Article 324 of the Constitution.
Its timeline is simple: It begins on the day the election schedule is announced and ends on the day results are declared.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the exact point in time when the Model Code of Conduct comes into force during State Assembly Elections.
We need to select among various milestones in the election process: filing nominations, withdrawing nominations, announcement of schedule, or announcement of results.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

• The Model Code of Conduct does not require statutory enactment; it is a consensus-based code enforced by the Election Commission under its powers under Article 324.

• According to the established rules and judicial precedents, the MCC comes into operation immediately upon the announcement of the election schedule by the Election Commission of India.

• Once the ECI holds a press conference and announces the dates for polling, counting, and other phases, the MCC is activated instantly.

• It remains in force throughout the entire election process until the final results are declared.

• This ensures that governments cannot announce new projects, schemes, or financial concessions that could influence voters from the very start of the election cycle.

• Filing or withdrawing nominations occurs much later in the schedule, making Options (A) and (B) incorrect.

• Option (D) is incorrect because the MCC expires once the results are announced, rather than coming into force.



Step 3: Final Answer:
The Model Code of Conduct comes into force on the day of the announcement of the election schedule, which is Option (C).