INTRODUCTION
The Electoral Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous
constitutional body that was established on 25th January, 1950 in
accordance with the Article 324 of the Indian Constitution that
vests the authority and responsibility with regards to the
superintendence, direction and control of elections and the
preparation thereof, in the ECI. Since then, the ECI has been
accountable for the maintenance of the integrity of the Indian
democracy by way of, inter alia, safeguarding and ensuring
a dignified conduction of elections in the largest democracy of the
world.
One of the ways the same is endeavoured to be achieved is
through the formation of the Model Code of Conduct, i.e., a morally
bound set of guidelines issued by the ECI prior to the conduction
of elections, to be followed by both; the parties as well as the
candidates contesting.
