The Election Commission (EC) instructed political parties and candidates on Monday to refrain from involving children in any form of election campaign, including the distribution of posters and pamphlets or sloganeering, ahead of the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha polls. In an advisory sent to parties, the poll panel conveyed its "zero tolerance" towards the use of children in any manner during the electoral process by parties and candidates. The EC's directions come just two months ahead of the 2024 general elections, during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third straight term at the Centre.
"Political parties are explicitly directed not to engage children in any form of election campaign. This includes rallies, slogan shouting, distribution of posters or pamphlets, or any other election-related activity. Political leaders and candidates should refrain from using children for campaign activities in any manner. This prohibition extends to actions such as holding a child in their arms, carrying a child in a vehicle or in rallies. Additionally, the use of children to create the semblance of a political campaign is strictly prohibited. This includes their use in poems, songs, spoken words, display of insignia of political party/candidate, exhibiting ideology of political party, promoting achievements of a political party, or criticising opponent political parties/candidates," said the EC.
In a letter to all Chief Electoral Officers of States and Union Territories, Principal Secretary (EC) SB Joshi said that the Commission has always strongly objected to the use of children in any way in election-related work and has issued instructions in this regard from time to time. "The Election Commission of India has directed that no child should be involved in the election process by political parties and election officials. It is clarified to obviate any doubt that all political leaders/candidates should not use children for campaigns/canvassing/rallies/yatras, etc, in any manner, including holding a child in their arms, carrying a child in their vehicles, or making a child a part of election campaigns/rallies, etc. Furthermore, the use of a child to create a semblance of a political campaign, either by spoken words/poems/songs, display of the insignia of a political party/candidate, exhibiting the ideology of a political party, promoting the achievements of a political party, or criticising the opponent political parties/candidates shall not be resorted to," Joshi mentioned in its communiqué to CEOs.
Nevertheless, the mere presence of a child accompanied by their parent or guardian in proximity to a political leader, who is not engaged in any election campaigning activity for the political party, will not be considered a violation of the guidelines, as noted.
"All political parties and candidates are obligated 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 directives from the Commission also emphasised the Hon'ble Bombay High Court in its Order dated 4th August 2014 in PIL No. 127 of 2012 (Chetan Ramlal Bhutada Vs. State of Maharashtra and others). The court stressed the importance of ensuring that political parties do not allow the participation of minor children in any election-related activities," said the EC.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has consistently emphasised the pivotal role of political parties as key stakeholders of the EC. He urges them to become active partners in upholding democratic values, especially in view of the forthcoming parliamentary polls.