EC Instructs Political Parties To Not To Use Children For Campaigning

The Election Commission of India ahead of the Lok Sabha election on Monday asked the political parties to refrain from involving children for any kind of campaign purposes.

The election watchdog conveyed its stance in an advisory sent to political parties in which the poll panel conveyed that it has “zero tolerance” towards the use of children in election- activities. It also stated the district election officers and returning officers will bear the responsibility to ensure compliance with all relevant acts and laws about child labour, reports the print.

“This prohibition extends to the use of children to create the semblance of a political campaign in any manner including use through poem, songs, spoken words, display of insignia of political party or candidate…,” EC said in a statement.

But it added that the mere presence of a child accompanied by their parent or guardian in the proximity of a political leader who is not involved in any election campaigning activity by the political party, will not be considered as a violation of the guidelines.

The Election Commission reminded all political parties to adhere to the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, as amended in 2016.

Chief Election Commission Rajiv Kumar also emphasised that the political parties are key stakeholders of the EC and hence they should uphold the democratic values, especially in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

It further noted the importance of upholding the judiciary directives, citing a 2014 order by the Bombay High Court which has stressed to ensure that the political parties do not allow the participation of minor children in any kind of election- activities.

The advisory on children came days after its advisory to political parties to maintain respectful discourse toward persons with disabilities (PwDs). The EC has also taken additional measures to identify and delist fraudulent Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs).