Regarding the use of minors in any election-related activity, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has released stringent guidelines. The ECI has requested that political parties refrain from using any kind of child labor in election campaigns in its most recent notification. This implies that no child may be employed to distribute flyers or brochures, yell slogans at political events, campaign rallies, gatherings for elections, etc.
The ECI has communicated its “Zero Tolerance” stance against the use of children in any way by political parties or candidates.
Child Participation in Election-Related Activities Is Prohibited:
Political figures and candidates should refrain from using kids in any way throughout their campaigns, including holding them in their arms, transporting them in cars, or using them at events like rallies.
This ban includes using kids to stage a political campaign in any way, such as through poetry, songs, spoken word, displaying a political party’s or candidate’s emblem, displaying the party’s ideology, highlighting the accomplishments of the party, or disparaging rival political parties or candidates.
The ECI stated, “Yet, the mere fact that a child is in close proximity to a political leader with their parent or guardian and who is not engaged in any election campaigning activity by the political party, will not be construed as a violation of the guidelines.”
