Chikkamagaluru DC warns against using children for campaigning

CHIKKAMAGALURU: With the political parties and the candidates commencing their election campaign adopting different methods, the district administration has warned against using the services of children for election campaigns.
The EC is closely monitoring the campaigns to ensure that the rights of every child will be protected by ensuring that no parties or the candidate will use children for the campaign.
Deputy commissioner, who is also district election officer, KN Ramesh said the EC has instructed all political parties not to use the service of the children in any kind during the campaigning. We will initiate legal action against the party or the candidate if the norms are violated, the DC said.
Taking a serious note about the matter, the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KCPCR) has issued directions to the district administrations to ensure that the children are kept away from the election campaigns and other election-related work.
The commission had received complaints that a few children were forced to participate in the campaigns. Thus, it issued directions to the district election commission.
Arun Kumar, an activist said that the officials must be alert about any violations. "We can tolerate minor violations but not child rights' violations. Such development would have adverse impact on children," Kumar said.
The commission must create awareness among the children not to participate in such activities, said a parent Ramya.