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Use of Defence Forces for Campaigning

Last updated on May 28, 2024

One cannot use defence forces for campaigning purposes i.e. no political party or candidate should use the photographs of any defence forces or army staff during their campaign. Their photographs or functions cannot be mentioned in advertisements.1

Some examples of violations of MCC by using armed forces for campaigning are:

  • If a candidate campaigns by using the name of army personnel to get votes.
  • If a candidate or political party campaigns by putting up posters and billboards with the pictures of defence personnel.
  1. Heading 9.8, Manual for Model Code of Conduct, Election Commission, available at https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9375-manual-on-model-code-of-conduct [↩]

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