In a decisive move, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed all political parties and candidates to refrain from involving children in any election-related activities, issuing a stern warning of “zero tolerance” towards such practices. The directive covers a range of activities, including the distribution of posters/pamphlets, slogans, campaign rallies, and election meetings.
The ECI’s official statement emphasized that political leaders and candidates should not use children in any capacity during election campaigns, including holding them in their arms, carrying them in vehicles, or featuring them in rallies. This directive comes as the country approaches general elections in the next two months.
The Commission explicitly stated, “Political parties cannot use children in the distribution of posters/pamphlets, for slogans, campaign rallies, election meetings, or any other election-related activity.”
This directive follows the ECI’s recent instructions to political parties to demonstrate respect towards people with disabilities in their campaigns. In December 2023, the poll body had directed parties to refrain from using ableist language or derogatory terms for individuals with disabilities.
The ECI’s decision is grounded in the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016, and the Bombay High Court’s August 2014 order in the ‘Chetan Ramlal Bhutada vs State of Maharashtra and Others’ case. The court had emphasized that political parties must ensure that minors do not participate in election-related activities.
Furthermore, the ECI has extended the directive to all election officials, urging them to “refrain from involving children in any capacity during election-related work or activities.” Any violations by election machinery could result in severe disciplinary action, with district election officers and returning officers held personally liable.
The prohibition extends to various forms of use, including creating the semblance of a political campaign through poems, songs, spoken words, display of party insignia, promotion of party ideologies, and criticism of opponents.
However, the ECI has provided an exception, allowing a child to be present in the proximity of a political leader if accompanied by their parent or guardian, provided the child is not involved in any election campaigning activity by the political party.
The ECI’s latest directive underscores its commitment to ensuring the ethical conduct of election campaigns and safeguarding the rights and well-being of children in the electoral process.
Sources By Agencies
