The Election Commission of India emphasizes its zero tolerance policy towards the use of children in election-related work or campaign activities.

The commission has issued strict directives to parties, candidates, and election machinery, urging them to refrain from involving children in political campaigns and rallies in any manner. In line with its previous directives to address declining campaign discourse and maintain respectful behavior towards Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), the Election Commission of India has underlined the importance of preventing the use of children in any election-related activities.

It has advised political parties to avoid engaging children in election campaigns, including the distribution of posters/pamphlets and participation in slogan shouting, campaign rallies, and election meetings.

The commission has conveyed a ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy towards the use of children in any manner during the electoral process by parties and candidates. The instructions underline the need for compliance with these guidelines.

1. Prohibition of Child Participation in election related activities: 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.
2. 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/candidate, exhibiting ideology of
   political party, promoting achievements of a political party or criticizing the
   opponent political parties/candidates
   However, 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.
3. Legal Compliance: 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 Commission directives also highlighted the
   Hon’ble Bombay High Court in its Order dated 4th August, 2014 in PIL No.
   127 of 2012 (Chetan Ramlal Bhutada Vs. State of Maharashtra and others)
   which had stressed the need to ensure that political parties do not allow
   participation of minor children in any election related activities.
   The Commission 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.