With the State Election Commission (SEC) preparing for civic elections across Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into force. The MCC is a set of guidelines designed to ensure free, fair and impartial elections by imposing restrictions on governments, political parties and candidates once the election schedule is announced.

Why the Model Code of Conduct matters

Under Articles 243K and 243ZA of the Constitution, the State Election Commission is tasked with supervising, directing and controlling elections to local self-government bodies. Accordingly, general elections are due for 29 municipal corporations, including the BMC and 28 other civic bodies listed in Appendix 1 of the SEC notification.