HC asks EC about action against parties using minors in polls

The Bombay High Court has asked Election Commission of India to state what action it would take against political parties who use children in election campaign or poll-related work.

The direction was given by a bench headed by Justice Abhay Oka which on September 30 asked the EC to declare its stand on the issue after a week.

The EC filed an affidavit stating that it had written a letter to the Chief Secretaries of states, electoral officers and political parties asking them to take steps to ensure that political parties do not use children in poll-related matters.

However, the bench noted that the affidavit was silent on what action would be taken in case children were used for such activities. Posting the matter to October 7, the bench asked the EC to explain what action it would take against parties for engaging children in campaign.