National Desk, 5th February: The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a directive to political parties and candidates, urging them to refrain from involving children in any form of election campaigning for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The advisory emphasized a zero-tolerance policy regarding the use of children in election-related activities.
Key Points:
- Prohibition on Involvement: The directive specifies that children should not be involved in any manner during election campaigning, including being held in arms, carried in vehicles, or participating in rallies.
- Extension of Prohibition: The prohibition extends to the use of children to create the semblance of a political campaign, involving poems, songs, spoken words, or displaying political party insignia.
- Exception for Presence: The mere presence of a child accompanied by their parent or guardian in proximity to a political leader, without engaging in election campaigning, is not considered a violation.
- Child Labour Laws: The EC reminded political parties of their duty to comply with the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, as modified in 2016.
- Judicial Orders: Referring to a 2014 directive from the Bombay High Court, the EC stressed the importance of adhering to judiciary orders. The directive emphasized that political parties should avoid involving children in any election-related activities.
- Responsibility of Officials: District Election Officers and Returning Officers are entrusted with the responsibility to ensure strict compliance with child labour laws and electoral guidelines.
The Election Commission’s advisory underscores the commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of children during the electoral process.