UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Did the PM’s broadcast violate MCC?

Q1. Part VII of the Model Code of Conduct, central to the recent controversy over the Prime Minister's national broadcast, specifically governs which one of the following?

  • A. Conduct of polling agents and counting agents at the polling station
  • B. Restrictions on the 'party in power' to prevent misuse of official position for electoral gain
  • C. General conduct of all political parties at public meetings and processions
  • D. Procedure for scrutiny and filing of election expense returns by candidates

Q2. The Model Code of Conduct, whose alleged breach during the recent televised national address is under public scrutiny, is issued and operationally enforced by which one of the following authorities?

  • A. Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India
  • B. Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Government of India
  • C. Election Commission of India under Article 324
  • D. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India

Q3. In which year did the Election Commission of India add Part VII (the 'party in power' chapter) to the Model Code of Conduct?

  • A. 1968
  • B. 1974
  • C. 1979
  • D. 1991

Q4. Comparing the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) with statutory election law in India, consider the following statements: 1. Unlike the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the MCC is itself enforceable as a standalone statute by virtue of a parliamentary enactment. 2. Unlike statutory restrictions tied to the issue of the poll notification, the MCC takes effect from the date of announcement of the election schedule by the ECI. 3. The constitutional anchor for ECI's enforcement of the MCC lies in Article 324, which the Supreme Court in Mohinder Singh Gill (1978) described as a 'reservoir of power'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the MCC is itself enforceable as a standalone statute by virtue of a parliamentary enactment.
  2. Unlike statutory restrictions tied to the issue of the poll notification, the MCC takes effect from the date of announcement of the election schedule by the ECI.
  3. The constitutional anchor for ECI's enforcement of the MCC lies in Article 324, which the Supreme Court in Mohinder Singh Gill (1978) described as a 'reservoir of power'.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3