Election Commission Extends Model Code Restrictions to Retired Officials Contracted by States

The Election Commission announced that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) will now apply to retired civil servants engaged by state governments in advisory or contractual capacities during the election period.
The extension is intended to curb the practice of using former officials as proxies to influence electoral outcomes, thereby preserving the MCC’s core principles of fairness and neutrality.
The commission said the rule takes effect immediately and that any breach by such retirees will attract the same penalties as those imposed on serving officials. State governments have been instructed to disclose any engagements to the EC.
Political analysts view the step as a response to recent concerns that retired officers were playing strategic roles in campaign management, potentially giving ruling parties an undue edge.
The EC reaffirmed its commitment to a level playing field and urged all parties and governments to respect the expanded code.