News Tamil Nadu

Part-Time Politician Vijay’s TVK Forms Children’s Wing While EC Rules Prohibit Involving Children For Political Purpose

February 12, 2025
The Commune

If controversy had a name, it would be ‘Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’ (TVK). The party’s latest move has sparked outrage with its announcement of a ‘Children’s Wing’ as one of the 28 political factions under the TVK umbrella. This decision blatantly violates the election code, the constitution, and basic morality. Children should not be involved in politics until they reach the age of 18. The announcement of a dedicated ‘Children’s Wing’ by part-time politician Vijay’s party has drawn severe criticism, with concerns that it could have a damaging impact on the lives of young individuals.

On 5 February 2024, the Election Commission of India issued a press note making it clear that it maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards the use of children in election-related work or campaign activities. The Commission directed political parties, candidates, and election officials to refrain from involving children in any aspect of political campaigns or rallies.

The guidelines stated, “In continuation of earlier instructions aimed at improving campaign discourse and ensuring respectful treatment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), the Election Commission has issued strict directives concerning the use of children in election-related activities. Political parties and candidates are explicitly advised not to involve children in any form of election campaign, including distributing posters or pamphlets, chanting slogans, or participating in rallies and meetings. The Commission has expressed ‘Zero Tolerance’ towards any use of children during the electoral process.”

Key instructions include:

  1. Prohibition of Child Participation: Political parties are prohibited from using children in any election-related activities. This includes, but is not limited to, rallies, distributing posters, chanting slogans, or any other form of involvement. Children should not be used in campaigns in any way, including being held by political leaders or taken in vehicles during rallies.
  2. No Use of Children for Political Campaigning: The guidelines also prohibit using children to give the impression of political campaigning, such as through poems, songs, spoken words, displaying party insignia, promoting the party’s achievements, or criticizing opponents.

However, the Commission clarified that the mere presence of a child with a parent or guardian near a political leader, as long as the child is not involved in campaign activities, does not violate these guidelines.

  1. Legal Compliance: All political parties and candidates must ensure strict adherence to the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, as amended in 2016. The Commission referred to a 2014 Bombay High Court ruling (PIL No. 127 of 2012) that stressed the importance of ensuring that political parties refrain from involving minor children in any election activities.

Election officials, including District Election Officers and Returning Officers, are personally responsible for ensuring compliance with these directives. Any violations by election machinery will lead to severe disciplinary action.

The TVK’s decision has sparked online ridicule, with many netizens mocking the move. Here are some of the reactions

 

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