- India’s Model Code of Conduct are the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for conduct of political parties & candidates during elections mainly with respect to speeches, poling day, polling booths, election manifestoes, processions and general conduct.
- The Election Commission is regarded as guardian of free and fair elections. In every election, it issues a Model code of Conduct for political parties and candidates to conduct elections in free and fair manner. The need for such code is in the interest of free and fair elections.
- However, the code does not have any specific statutory basis. It has only a persuasive effect. It contains what, known as “rules of electoral morality”.
- But this lack of statutory backing does not prevent the Commission from enforcing it.