The Haryana unit of the BJP has come under fire for using a video featuring a child for polling purposes. (Image: PTI/Representative)
BJP’s Haryana unit posted a video featuring a child endorsing the state’s chief minister Nayab Singh Saini.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday issued a show cause notice to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for using a child in a poll campaign video. The campaign video posted by the Haryana unit of the BJP shows a child saying the incumbent chief minister, Nayab Singh Saini, will be voted to power in the elections.
बच्चे-बच्चे की पुकार, हरियाणा में फिर से नायब सरकार pic.twitter.com/8hxogtVL6A— Haryana BJP (@BJP4Haryana) August 27, 2024
“There will be a Saini government in Haryana this time,” the child says in the half-minute clip. The video was also posted with the caption: “Even children are calling for a Nayab government this time in Haryana (Bacche-bacche ki pukaar, Haryana me phir se Nayab sarkar)”.
ECI termed the video as “violative of ECI guidelines prohibiting use of children in election related activities and campaigning”.
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The show cause notice was issued by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Haryana to Mohan Lal Badoli, the Haryana BJP state president seeking immediate corrective action. They have been asked to submit their response by Thursday evening 6pm.
This is the first notice issued by the polling body ahead of the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana. In J&K, voting will occur in three phases starting from September 18, while Haryana will have single-day polling on October 1. Votes in both states will be counted on October 4.
What Are The ECI Rules
Shortly before announcing the Lok Sabha polls, the ECI in February instructed political parties and candidates not to involve children in any form of election campaigning, including distributing posters or pamphlets, participating in slogan shouting, campaign rallies or election meetings.
“District Election Officers and Returning Officers shall bear personal responsibility for ensuring compliance with all relevant acts and laws pertaining to child labour. Any violation of these provisions by election machinery under their jurisdiction will result in severe disciplinary action,” it had said.
The ECI conveyed that it has ‘zero tolerance’ towards use of children in any manner during the electoral process by parties and candidates.
