The Election Commission on Monday directed political parties to refrain from using children in campaigning “in any form whatsoever”, including for distribution of posters and pamphlets or sloganeering.
In a press note sent to parties, the poll panel conveyed its “zero tolerance” towards use of children in any manner during the electoral process by parties and candidates.
The directive read, “Political parties are explicitly directed not to engage children in any form of election campaign, including rallies, slogan shouting, distribution of posters or pamphlets, or any other election-related activity.”
It further said that the political leaders and candidates should not use children for campaign activities in any manner including holding a child in their arms, carrying a child in a vehicle or in rallies.
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/candidate, exhibiting ideology of political party, promoting achievements of a political party or criticizing the opponent political parties/candidates.
However, the mere presence of a child accompanied by their parent or guardian in proximity of a political leader and who is not involved in any election campaigning activity by the political party, will not be construed as a violation of the guidelines.
According to the advisory, all political parties and candidates are required to ensure strict compliance with the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, as amended by the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016.
The Commission directives also highlighted the Bombay High Court in its Order dated 4th August, 2014
which had stressed the need to ensure that political parties do not allow participation of minor children in any election related activities.
Earlier the Commission had issued directives to parties and candidates to address plummeting levels of campaign discourse and to maintain respectful discourse towards Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).