Election Commission lifts Model Code of Conduct after 2026 Assembly polls

Key Facts

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) lifted the MCC on 7 May 2026 after Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry as well as bye-elections in Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Tripura.
• The MCC remains in force in West Bengal’s 144-Falta Assembly constituency due to cancellation of the initial polling after reports of electoral offences and EVM tampering on 29 April 2026.
• Fresh polling in Falta is scheduled on 21 May 2026, and vote counting will take place on 24 May 2026.
• The Model Code of Conduct is issued under the authority of Article 324 of the Indian Constitution, empowering the ECI to supervise elections.
• The MCC regulates speeches, conduct on polling day, processions, meetings, and prohibits the misuse of official government machinery to ensure free and fair elections.
• Assembly elections are conducted under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, with separate notifications for each election or bye-election.

Background & Context

The Model Code of Conduct is a set of ethical guidelines and directions issued by the Election Commission of India under Article 324 of the Constitution. It comes into immediate effect once the election schedule is announced and remains until the election process concludes with the declaration of results. Its purpose is to create a level playing field for political parties and candidates by controlling election campaign activities and ensuring that government machinery is not misused.

In the 2026 Assembly polls across five states and a union territory, and concurrent bye-elections in multiple states, the MCC was enforced during the campaign period. After the declaration of results, the MCC was lifted except in West Bengal’s Falta constituency, where serious malpractice allegations including tampering with EVMs led to cancellation of polling on 3 May 2026 and continuation of the MCC until fresh elections are conducted.

Why This Matters for Exams

The Model Code of Conduct and the Election Commission’s powers under Article 324 are significant topics within Indian polity and governance segments of competitive exams like UPSC. Understanding the MCC’s nature—being a set of non-legal but enforceable guidelines under constitutional authority—and its operational timeline is crucial. Current and real-life examples, such as the phased lifting of the MCC and repolling due to electoral offences, provide practical insights into election management and the safeguarding of democratic processes.

Points to Remember

• Article 324 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Election Commission with superintendence, direction, and control of elections to Parliament, state legislatures, and offices of President and Vice-President.
• The Model Code of Conduct is not a codified law but a set of guidelines enforced by the ECI through constitutional mandate and instructions.
• In May 2026, the MCC was lifted following Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry and bye-elections in several states, except in Falta constituency, West Bengal.
• Election malpractices including allegations of EVM tampering led to polling cancellation and continuation of MCC in Falta until fresh elections.
• Fresh polling for Falta Assembly constituency is scheduled for 21 May 2026, with counting on 24 May 2026.
• The MCC governs and restricts political campaigning activities, including speeches, processions, use of government resources, and polling day conduct to ensure fairness.
• Understanding election rules and constitutional provisions like Article 324 and MCC is important for exams on Indian polity and governance.