Take action against BJP, PM Modi for engaging school kids in election campaign: CPI (M) urges EC

NEW DELHI : The Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Tamil Nadu has urged the Election Commission of India to take action against the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly engaging school students in an election campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024.

In a letter to the chief election commissioner, CPI (M) state secretary K Balakrishnan said that use of school children in political campaigns violates EC guidelines which have a zero tolerance policy towards exploitation of children in political activities.

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The minister alleged that students of a private school in Vadavalli participated in the election campaign during PM Modi’s road show in Coimbatore on March 18. The school kids were seen dressed as Hindu deities wearing saffron cloth strips that bore BJP symbols at various locations and were performing on stages, he stated. Students said that they were asked by schools to gather at a place two hours before the event, Balakrishnan said.

The secretary mentioned that ECI, on February 5, issued directions to political parties, candidates, and others conveying zero tolerance towards misuse of children in election campaigns and rallies.

Election Commission guidelines

As per the instructions by ECI, “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 prohibition extends to the use of children in political campaign in any manner such as 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 criticizing the opponent political parties or candidates, as per ECI guidelines.

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According to these instructions, school children in road show were used for political campaign for the upcoming general elections 2024 and the act of BJP contravenes EC guidelines, Balakrishnan further said.

“We, the CPI (M), therefore demand for immediate intervention of your august office and stern action against BJP and Shri Narendra Modi for such candid and outright involvement of school children in political campaign,” the letter read.