Ethical Voting for Free & Fair Election

Conduct of Elections Objective of ECI Regarding Elections— Free, Fair and Transparent election and with greater Participation.

Main Hurdle For Free And Fair Elections— Conduct of Elections Main Hurdle For Free And Fair Elections— Beside other factors two major factors against the Free and Fair Election are follows: 1.Muscle Power (Force) 2. Money Power

MCC The Model Code of Conduct for Elections is an essential and vital tool for the conduct of free and fair elections.

MCC contd... Objective of MCC MCC comes into operation from the day ECI announces the programme for election- Press Note Developed for maintaining a healthy and peaceful atmosphere conducive to the conduct of smooth elections Also, provides level playing field for all parties.

MCC contd... Rationale behind MCC A visible and rigorous enforcement of Model Code of Conduct enhances the credibility of the elections and gives confidence to the stakeholders/voters. It ensures that official machinery for the electoral purposes is not misused. It ensures that electoral offences, malpractices and corrupt practices such as impersonation, bribing and inducement of voters, threat and intimidation to the voters, is prevented by all means.

MCC contd... Broad areas of Application of MCC Execution of new development and welfare schemes. Publicity / campaign on development and welfare schemes. Appointment, transfer and posting of Government officials. Use of Rest House, Dak Bungalow and other Government accommodation. Provisions regarding tour of Ministers / Political functionaries. Use of official aircrafts/vehicles. Use of loudspeaker. Printing of pamphlet, posters & other media activities.

MCC contd... Model Code of Conduct for Officials Model Code of Conduct for Ban on Transfer Model Code of Conduct for Ministers/Chairmen/Member of Commission MCC for Political Parties and Candidates Model Code of Conduct for Use of Official Vehicles MCC for State/Central Government

MCC contd… MCC for Political Parties and Candidates - No appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes. Mosques, Churches, Temples or other places of worship shall not be used as forum for election propaganda. Not to cause tension between different castes and communities on religious, regional or linguistic basis. Manifesto of the Political Parties should be practical and implementable.

Curbs on Muscle Power Measures taken by the ECI in controlling the Muscle Power- Proper Deployment of Security of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and State Police- Create safe and secure atmosphere for Elections Ensure selection of Critical Booths on the basis of vulnerability and other criteria given by ECI 2. Deployment of micro observer on Polling Station 3. Deployment of Videography on Polling Station 4. Deployment of live webcasting on Polling Station

Steps taken for fair election 1. Proper use of IT Application in Elections -Photograph of polling personnel on their appointment letter -Randomization of polling personnel -Randomization of State Police personnel 2. Use of EVMs & VVPATs, after FLC and randomization.

Curbs on Money Power Money Power— Influence of money and inducement to electors are the major challenges in the conduct of free and fair elections, adversely affecting the level playing field for the political parties and candidates.

Steps taken for fair election Measures taken by the ECI in controlling the Money Power— By Election expenditure monitoring Awareness of Ethical Voting

Election Expenditure Monitoring Flow Chart

ETHICAL VOTING ETHICAL VOTING - DEFINITION Nothing is more integral to democracy than voting. Most people believe that every citizen has the civic duty or moral obligation to vote, that any sincere vote is morally acceptable, and that buying, selling, or trading votes is inherently wrong.

ETHICAL VOTING ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATION • Demonstrate respect for Law • Must be non partisan and neutral • Must be transparent • Must be accurate and designed to serve the voters

THREE DIMENSIONS OF ELECTORAL PARTICIPATION ETHICAL VOTING THREE DIMENSIONS OF ELECTORAL PARTICIPATION

ETHICAL VOTING

Ethical & Informed Voting Choose your candidate Vote without fear Ethical Don’t be induced by money Don’t be induced on caste and religious lines Giving and taking bribe for voting is an electoral offence

ETHICAL VOTING

ETHICAL VOTING

ETHICAL VOTING

ETHICAL VOTING Awareness of Ethical Voting under the guideline of Model Code of Conduct through the SVEEP (Systematic Voter’ Educations and Electoral Participation)

Caution While Ethical campaign is undertaken, necessary care is to be taken that: Helpline numbers working SSTs and FS equipped and ready to respond to complaints Quick information dissemination on action taken Feedback mechanism

Appeal Suggestion invited to meet prevent the Influence of money and inducement to electors are the major challenges in the conduct of free and fair elections, adversely affecting the level playing field for the political parties and candidates

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