Today, the Model Code of Conduct seems like a witless anachronism—like a driving manual in the age of automated, driverless cars.

Speaking to reporters at a get-together after the end of the Parliament session, Vice-President m Venkaiah Naidu who is also the Rajya Sabha chairman suggested that the parties should include such a code in their election manifestos.

In the notice served by the Election Commission, it was pointed out that by holding a public meeting during the silent period, actor and BJP candidate, Sunny Deol has violated the model code of conduct.

CEC Sunil Arora said Ashok Lavasa's decision not to take part in model code related issues comes at a time when the poll watchdog is gearing up for the last phase of Lok Sabha polls and counting of votes.

Responding to a show cause notice by the EC, Congress president Rahul Gandhi told the poll panel that he had tried to summarise a proposed amendment to the Indian Forest Act in a simple language during a political speech.

In his Patan speech, PM Narendra Modi had reportedly said that he had warned Pakistan of 'consequences' if it did not return Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman.

The Commission concluded that it is of the considered view that in this matter, no such violation of MCC or ECI's instructions is made out.

This is the third clean chit by the Election Commission to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with poll-related speeches.

It has been alleged that BJP leaders have been violating MCC during last four weeks and the EC has not taken any decisions on as many as 40 complaints of Congress party.

The Election Commission on Thursday issued a show cause notice to Mayawati and Yogi Adityanath as they were both found prima facie guilty of violating the model code of conduct.

Tripura Pradesh Congress vice-president Tapas Dey claimed that BJP activists were threatening voters to not go to the polling stations and were attacking Congress workers and candidates.