No use of kids in poll work,EC warns

The act applies to all establishments and workshops all over the country and hence the commission has strongly objected to the use of children for any work connected with the election process.

An official said that political parties use children to distribute campaigning materials like posters and pamphlets and serving refreshments during public meetings.

The commission recently issued a notification,stating that it is the responsibility of the leaders of political parties to ensure that there are no violations of the Child Labour Act and that necessary action will be taken by the commission against political parties found guilty of using children in work related to elections.

Officials said if an individual leader or candidate is found guilty of this,the District Election Officer (DEO) may register a case against him or direct the Labour Department of the state government to take

action against him under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act,1986.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Umesh Sinha said that if a political party is found guilty of using children in any work during the election, the

commission may recommend to the Ministry of Law that the political party be derecognised.