Odisha Elections: Political Parties Asked To Refrain From Using Kids In Poll Activities

Bhubaneswar: The office of Odisha’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has urged all recognised national and state political parties to refrain from involving children in any form of election activities.

The move comes in the wake of major political parties, including BJD, BJP and Congress approaching the Election Commission accusing one another of using children in election activities and campaign.

In a letter to the presidents and secretaries of recognised national and state political parties as well as recognised unregistered parties, Additional CEO N Thirumala Naik urged them not to use children in any kind of election activities including campaign, canvassing of votes, distribution of posters and pamphlets, slogans or poll-related meetings.

According to the guidelines laid down by the ECI, holding children in arms, carrying them in vehicles or making them a part of election campaign or rallies will be considered as violation of the guidelines.

This apart, use of children to create semblance of political campaign either by spoken words/poem/songs, display of insignia of political party or candidate, exhibiting ideology of political party, promoting achievements of a political party or criticising the opponent political parties or candidates shall not be resorted to, the letter said.

It was, however, clarified that as per the norms mere presence of a child accompanied by his or her mother/father/guardian or a child in arms of his/her mother/father/guardian in proximity of a political leader and who is not involved in any activity relating to election campaigning by the political party will not be construed as violation of the guidelines.

The political parties and candidates have also been asked to refrain from involving child labour in any election-related work or activities and ensure that there is no violation of any provision of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986 as amended vide the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016.

Noting that the ECI has always taken strong exception to use of children in any way in election-related work and has issued instructions in this regard from time to time, the letter asked the political parties to strictly follow the previous instructions of the Commission issued against engagement of children in election activities.