Model Code of Conduct Enforced for 2026 Bye-Elections: Key Guidelines for Central Government Employees

Detailed Summary of MCC Rules

The attached ECI guidelines outline stringent rules to ensure a free and fair election process. Government officials directly connected with the conduct of the bye-elections are subject to strict transfer and posting policies. An officer cannot remain in their current posting within the assembly constituency limits if it is their home constituency, or if they have served there for three out of the last four years. Exemptions are made for officers retiring within the next six months. Furthermore, no official with a pending criminal case or past disciplinary action regarding election duties can be assigned election-related work.

For employees anticipating financial updates, the Election Commission has provided specific clarification regarding the Dearness Allowance (D.A.). The announcement of D.A. by the government is permitted as a routine administrative affair. However, the government is strictly prohibited from publicizing this D.A. announcement as a political achievement.

Important Points & Restrictions

• Tours of Ministers: Ministers are prohibited from combining official tours with election campaigning work.
• Private Visits: Any visit made by a Minister to a district where the bye-election is being held must be strictly private in nature.
• Meetings with Officials: Officials located in districts undergoing bye-elections cannot be summoned by any Minister for meetings, even if the meeting is held in a non-election district.
• Government Advertisements: General advertisements can be published on specific occasions of importance, but they must not bear photographs of any Minister or political functionaries.
• New Schemes: The advertisement of new government schemes in districts where the bye-elections are being conducted is completely banned.
• Communal Promises: Ministers and sitting MPs/MLAs are directed not to make promises or appeals on religious or communal grounds, even in areas where the MCC is not actively in operation.

Conclusion

All Central Government Employees, especially those stationed in or managing affairs related to Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, must strictly adhere to these MCC guidelines. The clarification that routine D.A. announcements can proceed without being touted as government achievements ensures that employee welfare is not unnecessarily stalled during the election period. For complete details on deployment rules and official conduct, employees are advised to review the official ECI instructions attached to the CSIR memorandum.

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