The Election Commission on Monday asked political parties and their candidates to refrain from using children in any election-related activities.

Conveying its “zero tolerance’’ towards use of children in any manner during the electoral process by the parties and their candidates, the poll panel in its directives advised not to use children in election campaigns in any form whatsoever including distribution of posters or pamphlets or to participate in slogan shouting, campaign rallies and election meetings.

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“Political parties are explicitly directed not to engage children in any form of election campaign, including rallies, slogan shouting, distribution of posters or pamphlets, or any other election-related activity. Political leaders and candidates should not use children for campaign activities in any manner including holding a child in their arms, carrying a child in a vehicle or in rallies,” the EC said in its instructions, ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The poll panel said this prohibition extends to the use of children to create the semblance of a political campaign in any manner including use through poem, songs, spoken words, 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 and candidates.

However, it said, the mere presence of a child accompanied by their parent or guardian in proximity of a political leader and who is not involved in any election campaigning activity by the political party, will not be construed as a violation of the guidelines.

Referring to legal compliance, the EC said, “All political parties and candidates are required to ensure strict compliance with the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, as amended by the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016.”

The EC in its directives also highlighted that the Bombay High Court in its 4th August, 2014 order had stressed the need to ensure that political parties do not allow participation of minor children in any election related activities.

Besides this, it said it has unequivocally directed all election officials and machinery to refrain from involving children in any capacity during election-related work or activities.

“District Election Officers and Returning Officers shall bear personal responsibility for ensuring compliance with all relevant acts and laws pertaining to child labour. Any violation of these provisions by election machinery under their jurisdiction will result in severe disciplinary action,” the EC said.

In December last year, the Election Commission had asked political parties and their representatives not to use “derogatory or insulting references” on persons with disabilities (PwDs) during any public statement or political campaign.