New Delhi, 07 May (H.S.):

The Election Commission announced the immediate withdrawal of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) on Thursday following the completion of Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and the Union Territory of Puducherry, as well as bypolls on various state Assembly seats.

According to the Commission's directive, the MCC stands revoked in the concerned states and Union Territory upon declaration of election results. However, the MCC shall remain in force for West Bengal's 144-Falta Assembly constituency, where the Commission has ordered fresh polling due to irregularities.

The Election Commission issued this order to the Cabinet Secretary, Chief Secretaries of the respective states, and Chief Electoral Officers. The order clarifies that the MCC, effective from the announcement of the election schedule, remains in place until completion of the entire electoral process. It states: Now that the results of the 2026 general elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and the Union Territory of Puducherry, along with bypolls in Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Tripura Assembly constituencies, have been declared by the respective Returning Officers, the Model Code of Conduct shall stand withdrawn with immediate effect.

The Commission explicitly clarified that the MCC continues to apply in West Bengal's 144-Falta Assembly constituency, where repolling has been mandated afresh.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar