On Monday, the Indian Election Commission said that political parties would not be allowed to utilise minors for any kind of job or activity connected to the campaign. Election apparatus, candidates, and political parties received directions from the ruling authority.
“Political parties and candidates should refrain from using children in political campaigns and rallies in a manner,” the European Commission stated in a statement.
According to the central agency, this is an extension of its previous guidelines about the parties’ and candidates’ decreasing levels of campaign talk. Additionally, EC requested that “respectful discourse” be maintained with regard to people with disabilities (PwDs).
The European Commission stated that political parties should not utilise minors “in any form whatsoever,” including while distributing posters and leaflets, participating in slogan shouting, holding electoral meetings, or attending rallies.
WHAT ARE THE EC’S DIRECTIVES RELATING TO THIS?
Child Participation in Election-Related Activities Is Prohibited: It has been “explicitly directed” to all political parties that they are not to include minors in any kind of election work, campaign, or activity. Political leaders and candidates are also prohibited from holding a kid in their arms or transporting one in their rally vehicle during election campaigns or rallies.
Prohibition Covers Using Children for Any Other Purposes. According to EC, the ban also includes using kids in any other way that seems to be a political campaign. “Poems, songs, spoken words, display of political party/candidate insignia, exhibiting political party ideology, promoting achievements of the party or criticising the opposing candidates or their parties” are among these means.
Candidates and Political Parties Asked to Guarantee Strict Legal Compliance. All political parties and candidates have been requested by the central agency to make sure that the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, as modified by the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016, is strictly adhered to.
The Bombay High Court’s ruling in PIL, Chetan Ramlal Bhutada Vs. State of Maharashtra & Others, which underlined the necessity for political parties to make sure that no minor is permitted to engage in any election-related activities, was also referenced in the EC’s orders.
However, the Election Commission stated that a parent holding their child in front of a political figure who is not engaged in any kind of election-related activity would not be deemed to have violated the rules just by being there.
The statement from the central agency further stated that the District Election Officers and Returning Officers would be held personally responsible for making sure that all applicable laws and acts pertaining to child labour are followed.
“Any infringement of these clauses by electoral apparatus under their jurisdiction will be subject to harsh disciplinary measures,” the statement continued.
