An exception has however been made where the child is accompanied or carried by his parent or guardian, in the proximity of a leader, and who is not involved in any campaign-related activity.
The Election Commission Monday, in its first-ever consolidated instructions against the use of children in electioneering, issued directives to poll officers as well as parties and candidates, prohibiting the participation of children in election-related activities. Though there were earlier instructions by EC on this, the latest directives cover scenarios like children being sported as “subtle vote-catchers” or being made to speak or wear insignia to promote a party or candidate or to criticise an opponent.
The instructions ask the poll machinery to refrain from engaging child labour for election-related activities. The district election officers or returning officers shall be personally responsible for any violation of anti-child labour laws, and face severe disciplinary action as well as consequences of the law.
EC has directed parties, candidates and their agents not to employ children for activities like distribution of posters and pamphlets, sloganeering, campaign rallies and election meetings, citing provisions of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 and extant guidelines of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
A senior functionary clarified to TOI that a politician merely walking up to a child in the crowd, accompanied by his parent or guardian, and talking to him, should pass muster. “However, if a child is held by the politician, made to sport a party’s cap or slogan or talk about achievements of the party at a poll rally, it will be construed as a violation of EC guidelines,” said the functionary.
EC’s directive against use of children for poll-related activities comes close on the heels of its instructions to parties, candidates and star campaigners to maintain a respectful and ethical political discourse and refrain from personal attacks based on unverified allegations. More recently, the poll body had issued guidelines to parties not to use terms associated with persons with disabilities (PwDs) to criticise political opponents.
