The government's push for the 'One Nation, One Election' initiative includes legislative proposals highlighting the financial and administrative burdens of conducting separate elections. A key point in these proposals is the claim that the MCC's enforcement during individual electoral cycles halts developmental programs and affects regular activities. The government contends that the recurring implementation of the MCC leads to policy stagnation and diverts essential services from their primary duties to electoral responsibilities for extended periods.
Contrary to the government's position, the EC maintains that viewing the MCC as a disruption is inaccurate. In a March 2023 response to the Law Commission's questionnaire on simultaneous elections, the EC stated that the MCC is integral to conducting free and fair elections, providing a level playing field for all stakeholders. The Commission noted that the MCC's applicability is linked to electoral cycles and that streamlining these cycles could reduce the duration of the MCC's enforcement. The EC also highlighted its efforts to minimize the MCC period, ensuring it lasts only as long as necessary from the announcement to the completion of the electoral process.
The MCC, developed in consultation with political parties, serves as a voluntary code of conduct to be followed by all stakeholders during elections. It prohibits the announcement and launch of new schemes and projects that could influence voters in favor of the ruling party, ensuring that official machinery is not misused for political gains. The EC has clarified that the MCC does not bring governance to a halt; ongoing projects remain unaffected, and the Commission works promptly to clear proposals and schemes during election time when approached by government departments.