Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission of India on Monday directed political parties not to use children in campaigning "in any form whatsoever," including poster and pamphlet distribution or sloganeering.
In an advisory sent to parties, the poll panel stated that it has "zero tolerance" for parties and candidates using children in any way throughout the electoral process.
Political leaders and candidates should not use children for campaign activities of any kind, including holding a child in their arms, carrying a child in a vehicle, or staging rallies,
But the simple fact that a youngster is with their parent or guardian while they are near a political figure who isn't actively promoting for the party will not be interpreted as a breach of the rules.
The ruling comes a month after the ECI instructed political parties to be 'respectful' to people with disabilities throughout their campaigns. In December 2023, the poll body instructed parties not to use racist or derogatory words about people who have disabilities.
Why It Matters?
Child rights organisations have long expressed concern over the use of children in political campaigns. Children, without knowing the repercussions, participate in rallies, road shows, and house-to-house campaigns.
In 2022, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) expressed worry about the presence of children in massive political events in The Gambia.
According to UNICEF, children must be protected from all activities that could be detrimental to their welfare and safety. Political parties, particularly party leaders and independent candidates, must ensure that no child is harmed or endangered during their political activities, and they should prevent children from attending political rallies and other big gatherings.
