Free and fair elections are the base of democracy. Two things help make Indian elections fair: the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which sets rules for parties and candidates during elections, and the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) with VVPAT, which records votes accurately. Exams ask about when the MCC applies, what it bans, when EVMs were first used and what VVPAT does. This post explains them in simple words. It ends with 15 previous year questions.
Key Points (Quick Revision)
- The Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India.
- It comes into force when the election schedule is announced and lasts till the results.
- The MCC is not a law passed by Parliament, but it is enforced through the Election Commission's powers.
- EVMs were first used in 1982 in Kerala, and in all Lok Sabha seats from 2004.
- VVPAT was first used in 2013 and in all Lok Sabha seats in 2019.
1. What is the Model Code of Conduct?
The Model Code of Conduct is a set of rules that political parties, candidates and governments must follow during elections. Its aim is a level playing field - no party, especially the ruling party, should get an unfair advantage.
It began in Kerala in 1960, when parties agreed on a code for the State Assembly election. The Election Commission spread it to all parties in the 1962 general election, and it has been expanded many times since.
2. When does the MCC apply?
- It comes into force from the date the Election Commission announces the election schedule.
- It stays in force until the election process is complete, that is, after the results are declared.
- For a Lok Sabha election, it applies across the country; for a State election, mainly in that State.
3. What the MCC covers
| Area | Main rules |
|---|---|
| General conduct | No appeals to caste or religious feelings for votes; no use of places of worship for campaigning; criticism only of policies and work, not private life |
| Meetings and processions | Inform the police in advance; do not disturb other parties' meetings |
| Polling day | No campaigning near polling booths; no distribution of liquor; identity slips only on plain paper |
| Party in power | No new schemes, projects or financial grants; no advertisements at public cost; no use of official vehicles or machinery for campaigning; no transfers of officials without the Commission's approval |
| Manifestos | Promises should not go against the Constitution, and parties should explain how they will pay for them |
The part on manifestos was added after a Supreme Court direction of 2013, which asked the Commission to frame such guidelines.
4. Legal status and enforcement
The MCC is not a statute. It draws its force from Article 324, which gives the Election Commission the power to supervise and conduct elections. Some actions covered by the MCC, like bribery or promoting enmity, are also offences under criminal and election laws.
The Election Commission can:
- Issue notices and warnings to leaders.
- Ban campaigning by a leader for a set time.
- Order transfers of officials and register complaints.
Citizens can report violations through the cVIGIL mobile app, launched in 2018, by uploading photos or videos.
5. Electronic Voting Machines
An EVM has two parts - a Ballot Unit, where the voter presses the button, and a Control Unit, kept with the polling officer. The machines are made by two public sector firms, BEL and ECIL.
- EVMs were first used in 1982 in the Paravur Assembly constituency of Kerala.
- In 1988, the Representation of the People Act was amended (Section 61A) to allow EVMs by law.
- EVMs were used in all Lok Sabha constituencies for the first time in 2004.
- An EVM is a standalone machine - it is not connected to the internet or any network.
Since 2013, EVMs also have a NOTA (None of the Above) button, introduced after a Supreme Court judgment.
6. VVPAT
VVPAT stands for Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail. It is a printer attached to the EVM.
- When a vote is cast, it prints a slip with the candidate's serial number, name and symbol.
- The slip is visible through a window for about seven seconds, then falls into a sealed box.
- VVPAT was first used in 2013 in the Noksen Assembly constituency of Nagaland.
- It was used in all Lok Sabha constituencies in 2019.
After a Supreme Court order in 2019, VVPAT slips of five randomly chosen polling stations in each Assembly segment are counted and matched with the EVM count.
7. Recent Supreme Court ruling
In April 2024, the Supreme Court rejected pleas to go back to paper ballots or to count all VVPAT slips. It gave some extra safeguards:
- Symbol loading units must be sealed and stored after use.
- Candidates who come second or third can ask, within a set time and on payment, for engineers to check the memory of a small share of EVMs in a constituency.
8. Previous year questions
- Who issues the Model Code of Conduct? – Election Commission of India
- In which State did the Model Code of Conduct begin? – Kerala, 1960
- When does the MCC come into force? – When the election schedule is announced
- Is the Model Code of Conduct a law passed by Parliament? – No
- Which Article gives the Election Commission power over elections? – Article 324
- Which app lets citizens report MCC violations? – cVIGIL
- A Supreme Court direction of which year led to manifesto guidelines in the MCC? – 2013
- Where were EVMs first used? – Paravur, Kerala (1982)
- Which section of the RP Act allows the use of EVMs? – Section 61A
- In which year were EVMs used in all Lok Sabha seats for the first time? – 2004
- Which companies make EVMs? – BEL and ECIL
- What does VVPAT stand for? – Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail
- Where was VVPAT first used? – Noksen, Nagaland (2013)
- In which Lok Sabha election was VVPAT used in all seats? – 2019
- How many polling stations per Assembly segment have VVPAT slips counted? – Five
9. How to revise this topic
Start with the MCC basics: issued by the Election Commission, Kerala 1960, all-India 1962, from announcement of schedule till results, not a statute, power from Article 324.
Next, learn the rules for the ruling party: no new schemes, no ads at public cost, no misuse of official machinery, no transfers without approval.
Then fix the EVM timeline: Paravur 1982, Section 61A in 1988, all Lok Sabha seats 2004, NOTA 2013.
Finally, remember VVPAT: Noksen 2013, all seats 2019, five polling stations per segment, and the April 2024 Supreme Court ruling.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Model Code of Conduct?
It is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for political parties, candidates and governments during elections, to keep the contest fair.
When does the Model Code of Conduct start and end?
It starts when the Election Commission announces the election schedule and continues until the election process is complete with the declaration of results.
Is the Model Code of Conduct legally binding?
It is not a law made by Parliament. It is enforced through the Election Commission's powers under Article 324, and some violations are also offences under other laws.
When were EVMs first used in India?
EVMs were first used in 1982 in the Paravur Assembly constituency of Kerala. They were used in all Lok Sabha constituencies for the first time in 2004.
What is VVPAT?
VVPAT, or Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail, is a printer attached to the EVM that shows the voter a slip with the chosen candidate's name and symbol for about seven seconds before it drops into a sealed box.
For more Polity topics in simple language, see our Election Commission of India, Parliament - Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and State Legislature posts, or browse the Polity section. Preparing for a civil services exam? Start with the UPSC Civil Services guide or join the 100 Hour GS Course.