On October 8, 2025, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued directions for the strict implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in Bihar for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Bihar, scheduled for October 6, 2025. The MCC is applicable to both the State and Central Governments concerning announcements and policy decisions. Key directives include the removal of defacement from property, prohibiting misuse of official vehicles or accommodations, and banning advertisements at the public's expense. The privacy of citizens must be respected, with no demonstrations or picketing outside private residences and land, buildings, or walls not being used for flags, banners, or posters without the owner's consent.
A complaint monitoring system is operational 24X7, accessible via the call center number 1950, and the C-Vigil App on ECINET for reporting violations. 824 Flying squads have been deployed to respond to complaints within 100 minutes. Political parties must inform police authorities in advance of meetings and processions to ensure traffic and security arrangements. Ministers are prohibited from combining official duties with electioneering or using government resources for campaign purposes. There is a ban on the transfer of officials connected with the conduct of elections. Officials must act impartially, ensure equal treatment, and safeguard the credibility of the electoral process. Public places, such as maidans and helipads, must be equally available to all parties on the same terms via the SUVIDHA module on ECINET, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Release ID: 2176143.
Key Entities Referenced
Election Commission of India (ECI): The primary authority responsible for issuing and enforcing the Model Code of Conduct and conducting elections.
Model Code of Conduct (MCC): A set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections.
Bihar: The Indian state where the election and the Model Code of Conduct are being implemented.
C-Vigil App: A mobile application citizens can use to report violations of the Model Code of Conduct.
SUVIDHA: An ECINET module where political parties can apply for usage of public places which should be allocated on first come first served basis.
Election Commission
ECI issues directions for strict implementation of
Model Code of Conduct for the Bihar elections
Posted On: 08 OCT 2025 11:57AM by PIB Delhi
1. The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the General Election to Legislative
Assembly of Bihar on October 6, 2025.
2. With this announcement, ECI has issued directions to Chief Secretary and Chief Electoral Officer of
Bihar regarding immediate coming into force of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in the State. The
MCC shall also be applicable to the Central Government so far as announcements/policy decisions for
Bihar are concerned.
3. The Commission has directed to ensure strict compliance with the instructions related to removal of
defacement from Government, public and private property; misuse of official vehicles or Government
accommodation by any political party, candidate or any other person connected with election; ban on
issuance of advertisement at the cost of public exchequer.
4. The privacy of citizens must be respected, with no demonstrations or picketing outside private
residences. Land, buildings, or walls shall not be used for flags, banners, or posters without the owner’s
consent.
5. A complaint monitoring system has been set up including a Call Centre number 1950 in which
complaint can be lodged by any member of the public or political party, with the DEO/RO concerned.
This system is now operational 24X7.
6. Citizens/political parties can also report MCC violations using the C-Vigil App on ECINET. 824 Flying
squads have been deployed across the state to ensure that the complaints are attended to within 100
minutes.
7. Political Parties are required to inform police authorities in advance of meetings and processions to
enable traffic and security arrangements, to comply with prohibitory orders and to obtain necessary
permissions for loudspeakers or other facilities.
8. Ministers shall not combine official duties with electioneering or use government machinery, transport,
or personnel for campaign purposes.
9. The Commission has further directed that there will be a ban on the transfer of all officers/officials
connected with the conduct of elections.
10. Officials at all levels have been directed to act impartially in enforcing MCC, ensuring equal treatment
of all parties and preventing misuse of official facilities. They must regulate meetings, processions and
polling arrangements fairly, safeguard law and order and maintain the credibility of the electoral
process.
11. It has been further directed that public places such as maidans and helipads must be equally available
to all parties on the same terms. The SUVIDHA module has been activated on ECINET where
political parties can apply for usage of such public places which should be allocated on first come first
served basis.
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PK/GDH/RP
(Release ID: 2176143)