Despite Election Commission order, parties still use kids in poll campaign

Child rights activists stress that the EC should take stringent actions against any political party indulging in such practices. 

Sources said it has become routine for political parties to exploit children, whenever there are elections in the state. Party cadre persuade family members to send their children along with them garner votes. Further, the cadre also provide free meals and Rs 100 to Rs 200 a day to the children as wages. Worse still, some political parties force the children to dress up like former leaders to woo voters. 

Speaking to DTNext, District Child Protection Officer (DCPO), Shivajayakumar said that they are aware of such incidents in the ongoing election campaign. “Using children in the election campaign is a criminal offence and we will bring the issue to the notice of the district administration, after which we will tighten the noose after following the guidelines laid down by the EC,” he said and added that political parties must realise that using children in their campaigns is politically incorrect and would spell doom for the party in the long run. 

Similarly, Sheela Charles Mohan, a member of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Chennai, say, “Awareness should be created among parents so that we can put an end to this issue. Going by the present scenario, children from economically weaker sections are joining hands with the political groups.” 

When asked, a functionary of a prominent political party said that they were not forcing children to come along with them. “Some parents bring their children on their own accord and we do not have a hand in this issue,” he quipped. 

Meanwhile, child rights activists expressed concern over the issue. “These children are paid a pittance. All the stakeholders like District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), District Social Welfare officers and police officials should take prompt action to stop children from being used in the campaigns,” said A Narayanan, a child rights activist. He added that the Election Commission of India had already warned of actions against political parties using kids.