Ban on Use of Official Vehicles during Campaigning

Home / Legal Explainers / Government & Elections / Elections / Campaigning & Elections / Ban on Use of Official Vehicles during Campaigning

The use of any official vehicles for campaigning or election-related travel from the date of announcement of elections till the completion of elections is not allowed.(( Section 123(5) and Section 160, Representation of the People Act, 1951.))

But, if a political leader is under threat of extremist and terrorist activities and requires security, they can request the Election Commission for the use of an official vehicle.

What are Official Vehicles?

Official vehicles are those vehicles that belong to the following(( FAQs, Election Commission of India, available at https://eci.gov.in/faqs/.)):

Central/State government,
Public Undertakings/Joint Sector Undertakings of central and state governments,
Local bodies, Panchayats, Municipal Corporations, Cooperative Societies, Marketing boards,
Autonomous district councils in which public funds are invested,
Ministry of Defence and other Ministers.

The different kinds of official vehicles are helicopters, aircraft, cars, jeeps, automobiles, boats, hovercrafts, trucks, lorries, tempos, cycle-rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, buses, etc.

Have a question you want to ask our legal experts?

Ask Nyaaya

Related Resources

Print Media and MCC

All print media including newspapers have to follow the rules under the MCC.

Unfair Election Practices by Candidates

There are many practices during an election campaign that candidates are not supposed to do, which count as unfair election practices by the candidates.

Use of Religion as a Basis for Campaigning

A party or candidate cannot campaign in any manner which would result in creating tension or hatred between different castes and religious communities.

Use of Defence Forces for Campaigning

Political parties or candidates cannot use defence forces for campaigning purposes. They cannot use the photographs of any defence forces or army staff during their campaign.

What is the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)?

The MCC are rules and regulations for the actions of the political parties, candidates, people supporting them, civil servants during election time and anybody else who is associated with elections.

When Does MCC Apply?

For the Lok Sabha elections, MCC is in force from when the election schedule is announced up to the announcement of the results.