GUWAHATI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed political parties to not use children in election campaigns, rallies or any political activities and conveyed a ‘Zero Tolerance’ attitude towards the same, as per a notification released on their official website today on February 5.
“The Election Commission of India has issued strict directives regarding use of children in any election-related activities. Political Parties have been advised not to use children in election campaigns in any form whatsoever including distribution of posters/pamphlets or to participate in slogan shouting, campaign rallies, election meetings, etc. The Commission has conveyed ‘Zero Tolerance’ towards use of children in any manner during the electoral process by parties and candidates,” stated the press release.
According to the notification, political parties are hereby prohibited from engaging children in any form of election campaign, including rallies, slogan shouting, distribution of posters or pamphlets, or any other election-related activity, while political leaders and candidates are directed to 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, although their mere presence while being accompanied by their parent or guardian may not be considered a violation.
The prohibition also covered the use of children to create even the semblance of a political campaign including their use through poetry, songs, spoken words, display of insignia of political party/candidate, or exhibiting the ideology or promoting the achievements of any political party or criticizing the opponents.
“The Commission has unequivocally directed all election officials and machinery to refrain from involving children in any capacity during election-related work or activities. District Election Officers and Returning Officers shall bear personal responsibility for ensuring compliance with all relevant acts and laws pertaining to child labour. Any violation of these provisions by election machinery under their jurisdiction will result in severe disciplinary action,” the press release further stated.