PM Modi’s Coimbatore Road Show Violates EC Directives Using School Children In Electioneering
The PM Narendra Modi roadshow in Coimbatore, on March 18, 2024, has drawn flak for allegedly violating Election Commission of India directives regarding election promotion. The roadshow caused a stir for involving and using children in the party’s political campaign.
Showing zero tolerance towards the use of children in any election- activities, through an advisory, the Election Commission of India had already instructed political parties and candidates to refrain from involving children in any form of election campaign. All political parties were reminded by the EC of their need to abide by the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, as revised in 2016.
The Election Commission directed that strict adherence to electoral regulations and child labor laws is the responsibility of district election officers and returning officers.
“Any election machinery falling under their purview that violates these provisions will face harsh disciplinary action,” the poll body declared.
In this pretext, an inquiry has been initiated by the Joint Commissioner of the Labour Department and Chief Education Officer, aiming to scrutinize the involvement of children and the alleged role of BJP members in having children’s artistic performances during the campaign.
It’s shocking how EC is brazenly letting Modi violate rules.
EC rules strictly prohibit use of children for election campaigning.
And yet, at PM Modi’s rally in Coimbatore yesterday, 50 govt school children were brought to attend.
Why no action @SpokespersonECI?
Image &… pic.twitter.com/r8cNozh3ad
— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) March 19, 2024
“It’s shocking how EC is brazenly letting Modi violate rules. EC rules strictly prohibit use of children for election campaigning. And yet, at PM Modi’s rally in Coimbatore yesterday, 50 government school children were brought to attend,” Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale wrote on X. The MP has also asked the Election Commission why no action is being taken on the alleged poll code violation.
As per the Election Commission directives, no political party can use children to create the semblance of a political campaign in any manner including the use of poems, songs, spoken words, display of insignia or political party, or promote the party’s achievement.
According to reports, students were from the government-aided Sri Sai Baba Vidyalayam Aided Middle School. Some students, who were below 14 years of age, were seen dressed as Hindu deities, performing on stages set up by BJP workers and donning saffron-colored cloth strips with BJP party symbols.
In response to this, the Coimbatore district education officer has instructed the school management to take strict action against the headmaster and staff. The schools have also been directed to submit a detailed report of the incident. Reportedly, students got instructions from the school authority to gather at the Sai Baba Colony junction two hours before the event organized at a 4 km stretch on Mettupalayam Road.
In 2014, the Bombay High Court judgment observed that existing rules did not provide a ban on children”s use in election promotion. The court directed the Election Commission and government to look into the issue and make essential provisions to stop children”s participation in electioneering. It also suggests to the EC to amend standard rules of conduct to stop children from participating in poll campaigns.
