Page 156 - Leap of Faith Vol - 2

Leap of Faith Journey of Indian Elections

The schedule for the Seventeenth General Elec ons,
2019 was announced on March 10, 2019. Along with
elec ons to 543 Parliamentary Cons tuencies (PC) to
cons tute the 17 Lok Sabha, elec ons to a total of 414
Assembly Cons tuencies (AC) across four states viz.
Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh
were also to be held. The Lok Sabha elec ons were
staggered into seven phases. The Legisla ve Assembly
elec ons were held concurrently in the first three phases.
The dates for Lok Sabha polls were April 11, 18, 23, 29;
May 6, 12 and 19, 2019. May 23, 2019 was kept as the
common coun ng date for all cons tuencies. With the
announcement of the elec ons, the Model Code of
Conduct came into immediate effect. Wall paintings are a unique way to grab the voter's attention

Curbing the scourge of money power is vital keep the to
Model Code of Conduct elec ons clean. The menace could be peddled in various

e Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is a set of forms like liquor, intoxicants, precious metals and freebies
conventions agreed upon by all stakeholders during the in kind and cash thus impinging upon the very mandate of
elections. Its objective is to keep campaign, polling and free and fair elec ons. On March 15, 2019 the Commission
counting orderly, clean and peaceful; and check any met the Mul -Department Commi ee on Elec on
abuse of state machinery and finances by the party in Intelligence. The heads of Tax Boards, Law nforcement E
power. It does not enjoy any statutory backing. e Agencies, Central Paramilitary Forces, and representa ves
Election Commission is fully authorised to investigate of inancial ns tu ons a ended the mee ng. F I
any violation of the Code, and pronounce punishment. Some of the issues discussed the mee ng in were ways to
e Code has evolved over the last 60 years to assume its curb covert expenditure by candidates and poli cal
present form. It had its origin during assembly elections par es; sensi sa on of law agencies about their role
in Kerala, 1960 – when the administration tried to during elec ons; coopera on and sharing intelligence of
evolve a 'code of conduct' for the political parties. e economic offences amongst law enforcement agencies;
Model Code of Conduct was first issued by Election mapping of cons tuencies by concerned agencies to
Commission of India under the title of ‘Minimum check transporta on of smuggled goods, drugs, liquor
Code of Conduct’ on September 26, 1968 during the and cash, including Fake Indian Currency Notes, through
Mid-Term Elections 1968-69. e Code was further seaports, inter-state borders and interna onal borders.
revised in 1979, 1982, 1991 and 2013. The Heads of Tax Boards, Law nforcement gencies, and E A
Central Paramilitary Forces and representa ves of

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