The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) that came into effect on March 16 with the announcement of the Lok Sabha election 2024 has been lifted by the Election Commission. During a communication with the Union Cabinet Secretary and state chief secretaries, the Election Commission announced that the “model code of conduct has ceased to be in operation with immediate effect.”
This declaration came into effect after the results of the Lok Sabha elections and assembly polls in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh, as well as some assembly by-polls, as reported by news agency PTI.
The model code of conduct is a set of guidelines agreed upon by all stakeholders to make sure that the campaigning, polling, and counting processes remain orderly, clean, and peaceful, preventing any misuse of state resources and finances by the ruling party.
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As soon as the model code of conduct was revoked, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar along with two election commissioners on Thursday presented details of newly elected Lok Sabha members to President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. This meeting was a part of the formation of the next or the 18th Lok Sabha.
President Murmu Congratulates ECI
“A copy of the notification issued by the Election Commission of India, in terms of Section 73 of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951, containing the names of the members elected to the House of the People following the General Elections to the 18th Lok Sabha, was submitted by them to the President,” a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.
The section commands “publication of results of general elections to the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies and of names of persons nominated thereto”.
President Murmu commended the CEC and the election commissioners for completing the electoral process, which was the biggest democratic exercise in human history, as per the statement. “On behalf of the entire country, she appreciated the efforts of the Election Commission, its officials and members of staff, other public officials who were involved in management and superintendence of the campaign and polling, and police and security personnel, Central and State, for working tirelessly and diligently to uphold the sanctity of the people’s ballot and completing a free and fair election,” it said.
President also congratulated hundreds of millions of voters for participating in the election process in such large numbers, the statement said. “This, the President noted, was entirely in keeping with our Constitution and India’s deep and unshakeable democratic traditions,” it said.
On Wednesday, President Murmu dissolved the 17th Lok Sabha, after the recommendation of the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The present Lok Sabha’s term will expire on June 16, and a new government needs to be formed in advance.
