Children still exploited in election activities

Kathmandu, Feb. 17: On Sunday, the EC issued 64-point directives to political parties and candidates, detailing strict rules for campaigning, financial management, and voter conduct ahead of the House of Representatives (HoR) elections.

The Commission has made it clear that children must not be used in election campaigns, public meetings, or rallies. Despite several laws, constitutional provisions, and international agreements ensuring the rights of children, some poll authorities continue to use children from the nomination period to the post-election period, even though such activities are prohibited.

The Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, the National Child Rights Council, the National Human Rights Commission, the Children as Zones of Peace National Campaign (CZOP) and other concerned bodies have expressed deep concern over the use of children in such activities.

At a discussion programme on the protection of child rights during elections and effective monitoring of violations of the election code of conduct, recently held by CZOP, participants recommended that civil society and concerned bodies take note of the growing issue and issue an advisory prohibiting the use of children in election campaigns in any form. This includes distributing posters or pamphlets, pasting posters, hanging banners, shouting slogans, and participating in campaign rallies or election meetings.

Stakeholders have demanded that action be taken against those involved in the use, abuse or mistreatment of children under various pretexts during elections. Representatives of government and non-governmental organisations working in the field of child rights have urged political parties and candidates not to misuse children in the upcoming elections.

Out of a total of 10,754 polling stations for the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5, the Election Commission has decided to set up 9,433 polling stations in schools across seven provinces.

A total of 40 national monitoring bodies, including four international monitoring organisations, have received permission from the Election Commission to observe and monitor the upcoming elections.

Durga Prasad Chalise, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, said that the role of those involved in monitoring and supervising the elections would be crucial.

Ram Bahadur Chand, Information Officer at the National Council for Child Rights, said that arrangements have been made to file complaints if children are used during election campaigns.

Presenting a paper at the programme, child rights activist Tarak Dhital said that the use of children in elections is a violation not only of the election code of conduct but also of prevailing laws. While informing children about elections is positive, he said, no political party or group should involve them in campaign activities.

According to CZOP, during the local elections held in April 2022 (2079 BS), 115 incidents of violations of the electoral code of conduct involving the use of children were recorded. 

Individuals or organisations responsible for election monitoring have been requested to prepare reports and inform the relevant authorities if they find that children have been abused or used in meetings, ceremonies, rallies or door-to-door campaign activities conducted by political parties and candidates.

The CZOP has also requested all political parties to include child rights issues in their election manifestos. 

Tilottam Paudel, President of CZOP, informed that a letter containing suggestions has been submitted to all political parties to protect children’s rights and prevent their abuse during elections.

CZOP has already handed over a 25-point suggestion letter related to the protection of child rights. It has emphasised adherence to the Constitution of Nepal, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), the Children’s Act 2075, the Local Government Operation Act 2074, and the National Children’s Policy to ensure the protection of child rights at the local, provincial, and federal levels.

Although political parties have pledged not to use children in their election campaigns, their involvement in political activities at various times remains a reality.