Indian politicians are expected to spend as much as ₹30,000 crore (nearly $5 billion) on the 2014 general elections, more than their counterparts in the US have ever dreamt of. But how do you make sure that this heart-stopping sum is used in legitimate campaigning and not in bribing, threatening or coaxing the electorate? This is where the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), a set of guidelines formulated by the Election Commission, steps in. The purpose of the code is to ensure free and fair elections.

What is it? The MCC comes into effect as soon as poll dates are announced; it is a code of behaviour for candidates, parties and the incumbent government on campaign trail. It bars candidates from using unfair means to influence voters.

So, is serving free cups of chai to passers-by plastered with the visage of your favourite leader, in the interest of a free and fair election? No, thinks the Election Commission, which crossed swords with BJP on this pre-poll initiative. It also frowns upon free booze and air-conditioned car rides intended to coax voters into meetings or poll venues.

The MCC also forbids name-calling and activities that foment religious, linguistic, or caste-based tension between communities. Finally, it bars babus from ‘borrowing’ official vehicles and aircraft for poll-related purposes for the powers-that-be.

If coaxing and cajoling voters is barred, it stands to reason that using henchmen to threaten the populace, and capturing booths can get you arrested.

Why is it important? The experience of past years has demonstrated that electoral malpractice is a clear and present danger to Indian democracy, with political parties resorting to myriad under-handed tricks to capitalise on voters’ poverty, their lack of education or social and communal tensions in order to get to that chair.

In such a situation, it might not be the best candidate that wins the poll, but the one that successfully intimidated the population of a constituency. That’s what the MCC tries to prevent.

Why should I care? Imagine how unpleasant it would all be if you had to put up with law and order problems along with blaring loudspeakers and speeding SUVs, every time there was an election? That’s what the MCC curtails.

For instance, on March 5, Aam Aadmi Party members staged a demonstration outside the BJP’s headquarters in New Delhi, which turned violent.

On March 19, Uttar Pradesh career politician Amar Singh kicked off his campaign in Fatehpur Sikhri in a convoy that had more than the permitted number of vehicles, one of which was without a license plate.

The Election Commission’s officials have lodged complaints against these individuals or entities. While the MCC lacks statutory backing, the EC can use police machinery to enforce the code.

Bottom line Even if you aren’t very fond of any party, spare a thought for the Election Commission which is working so hard to make sure that you get the right to exercise your franchise in a free and fair manner.

Go out and vote.

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