EC model code of conduct proposal

Subject: Polity

Context:

Recently the political parties have responded to the Election Commission (EC) on the poll panel’s proposal to amend the Model Code of Conduct to guide political parties to disclose how they plan to finance promises made in election manifestos and assess the impact on fiscal sustainability
Most political parties had called EC’s proposal on electoral freebies an overreach.

What is Model Code of Conduct:

It is a set of guidelinesissued by the Election Commission of India for the conduct of political parties and candidates during elections mainly with respect to speeches, polling day, polling booths, portfolios, election manifestos, processions, and general conduct.
This set of norms has been evolved with the consensus of political parties who have consented to abide by the principles embodied in the said code in its letter and spirit.
The Model Code of Conduct comes into force immediately on the announcement of the election schedule by the commission for the need of ensuring free and fair elections.
Its main purpose is to ensure that ruling parties, at the Centre and in the States, do not misuse their position of advantage to gain an unfair edge.
It is designed to avert practices that are deemed corrupt under the model code of conduct.

What is in the new Model Code of Conduct guidelines.

The new guidelines state that the political parties should provide details of how they will finance the promises made in their manifestos if elected to power.
The new guidelines include the financial ramifications of promises in their manifestos and whether they are sustainable within the financial space of the state or the Union government.