EC bans use of children in elections: Children distributed pamphlets in rallies, if slogans are raised then action will be taken against officers.
The Election Commission of India has tightened the noose on political parties regarding the use of children in election rallies and programs. The Commission has said that children will not be used in any election related activity. Issuing strict instructions in this regard, the Commission has advised political parties not to use children in election campaigning.
It will be the responsibility of the election officer to stop such activities and if this happens, the Commission will also take action against the officer. On the instructions of the Election Commission, the Chief Electoral Officer is going to write a letter to all the collectors in this regard.
In the instructions issued by the Election Commission in this regard, it has been said that parties will not be able to use children in distribution of election posters, pamphlets or in election programs, sloganeering, campaign rallies, election meetings etc. The Commission has said that the Commission has zero tolerance for political use of children in elections.
The Commission has clearly stated that political leaders and candidates should not use children for campaign activities in any way. The activities which have been banned by the Commission include holding the child in the lap in rallies, meetings and carrying the child in the vehicle during election campaign.
There is no problem in the presence of the child with the parents.
Other activities that the Commission has banned for children include running political campaigns in any way through poetry, songs, spoken words, displaying the symbol of a political party or candidate, demonstrating or criticizing ideology through words. also includes. However, the Commission has said that the mere presence of a child along with his/her parents or a guardian close to a political leader and not involved in any political party in election campaign activities will not be considered as a violation of the guidelines.
The Commission has also said that if these guidelines are not followed, legal action can be taken against the candidate or political party. It is made clear to all political parties to strictly follow child labor (prohibition and regulation).
The situation regarding this has also been clarified by the Child Labor (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986. The directions also refer to the Mumbai High Court’s PIL No. 127 of 2012 (Chetan Ramlal Bhutada vs. State of Maharashtra and others) dated 4 August 2014, in which it was stressed on the need to ensure that political parties do not participate in the elections. Do not allow participation of minor children in any related activities.
It is the responsibility of the election officer to follow the instructions, officers are also within the scope of action
The Commission has clearly directed all election officials and machinery to avoid involving children in any activity during election related work. The District Election Officer and Returning Officer will personally bear the responsibility of taking relevant action in such cases and ensuring that child labor laws are followed. Any violation of these provisions by the election machinery in their subordinate jurisdiction will attract serious disciplinary action against the concerned officer.
