MCC withdrawn as Election cycle ends in Bihar and Six states

In a key post-election development, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially lifted the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) across Bihar and all states where bypolls were recently held. The move signals the formal end of the election cycle that included the high-stakes Bihar Assembly polls and bye-elections in six states and one Union Territory.

In its notification issued on Sunday, Under Secretary Prafull Awasthi explained that the MCC stays in force from the day an election schedule is announced until the entire process concludes. With all results now declared by the respective Returning Officers, the MCC has ceased to operate with immediate effect.

The announcement comes after the MCC was extended until November 16 to maintain law and order following the counting of votes on November 14. The code had initially come into effect on October 6, when the ECI released the schedule for the Bihar Assembly elections.

District Magistrates in Bihar had also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, enforcing a complete ban on victory processions to avoid disturbances during the sensitive post-counting period.

The Bihar results delivered a strong mandate to the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which secured 202 out of 243 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats, while its ally Janata Dal (United) won 85. Other NDA partners, including the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha, bagged 19, 5, and 4 seats respectively.

In contrast, the Opposition’s Mahagathbandhan was confined to 35 seats. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) led the bloc with 25 seats, followed by Congress with 6. The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation) secured 2 seats, while CPI(M) and the Indian Inclusive Party won one seat each.

Meanwhile, the bypoll results across Jammu & Kashmir (Budgam, Nagrota), Rajasthan (Anta), Jharkhand (Ghatsila-ST), Telangana (Jubilee Hills), Punjab (Tarn Taran), Mizoram (Dampa-ST), and Odisha (Nuapada) were also declared, completing the election process nationwide.

With the MCC now lifted, government departments and state administrations can resume their normal activities and policy decisions without restrictions.

The MCC comes into effect immediately after the ECI announces the election schedule.It remains in force until the election process is completed, usually after results are declared.