Use of children for electioneering in upcoming MDC & MP elections prohibited

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 19, 2023

The East Khasi Hills District Elections Officer & Deputy Commissioner has warned the use of children in the upcoming MDC’s Election and MP’s Election scheduled in 2024.

The direction is as per official notice issued to all the nine political parties in Meghalaya namely National People Party (NPP), Voice of the People Party (VPP), Indian National Congress (INC), Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP), People’s Democratic Front (PDF), United Democratic Party (UDP), All India Trinamool Congress Party (AITC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Khun Hlynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM)

The East Khasi Hills District Elections Officer & Deputy Commissioner informed that in recently concluded State MLA Elections 2023, complaints have been received wherein Political Parties are alleged to have utilized the services of Children during election activities relating to campaigning, rallies, sloganeering, etc.

The notice said that directions prohibiting the use of Children for election process and campaign have been issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights vide letter F.No.A-11033/77/2017-Admn dated 20/01/2017 and by the Election Commission of India vide letter No.464/Ins/2017-EPS dated 21/02/2017.

The East Khasi Hills District Elections Officer & Deputy Commissioner informed to prevent alleged activities involving the use of children in view of the upcoming General Elections to the KHADC 2024 and General Elections to the Lok Sabha 2024, necessary directives have been circulated to all Political Parties concerned.

The notice directed all Political Parties to strictly refrain from employing and using Children for the purpose of election campaigning failing which strict action will be taken as per the provisions of the Law.