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ECI issues notice to Haryana BJP for using child in election campaign video
ECI issues show-cause notice to BJP Haryana for using a child in an election campaign video, violating guidelines.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken serious note of a post on X (formerly Twitter) by the BJP Haryana's handle, which featured a child in a poll campaign video. This violates ECI guidelines that prohibit the use of children in election-related activities and campaigning, the poll body said in a show-cause notice issued on Wednesday.
The chief electoral officer of Haryana has issued a show-cause notice to the state president of BJP Haryana, demanding immediate corrective action. The saffron party has been instructed to submit a response by 6pm on August 29.
What are rules on participation of children in poll campaign?
• Political parties are strictly prohibited from involving children in any election-related activities, such as rallies, slogan shouting, or distributing posters, as per the ECI directives based on the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act.
• Political leaders and candidates are not allowed to use children in campaign activities in any form, including holding a child, carrying a child in a vehicle, or involving them in rallies.
• The use of children to create the appearance of a political campaign, such as through poems, songs, spoken words, or political insignia, is strictly prohibited.
• Promoting a political party's achievements or criticising opponents through children is also banned under these guidelines.
• However, if a child is simply present with their parent or guardian near a political leader and not involved in any campaign activity, it will not be considered a violation of the guidelines.
MCC enforced in Haryana, elections on October 1
Earlier this month, the Election Commission announced that polls for the 90-member Haryana Assembly will be held on October 1, with results to be declared on October 4.
In the last assembly elections, BJP formed a coalition government with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP). However, the alliance collapsed due to disagreements over seat-sharing in the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP later secured its government with the support of Independent MLAs.
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In the recent Lok Sabha elections, both the BJP and Congress won five of the 10 seats in Haryana.
