The Election Commission of India informed the Madras High Court that it is reviewing guidelines to strengthen restrictions on the use of children in election campaigns. The exercise follows allegations of minors being involved in political campaigning and electoral influence during the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has informed the Madras High Court that it is in the process of reviewing its regulatory framework to strengthen restrictions on the use of children in election campaigns. The Commission stated that it is examining whether additional guidelines are required to ensure that minors are not involved in political activities or electioneering in any form.
The submission was made during the hearing of a petition that questioned certain campaign practices allegedly adopted during the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The petitioner claimed that some political parties had involved children in campaign-related activities, particularly through social media, in an attempt to indirectly influence the voting decisions of their parents.
Apart from raising concerns regarding the use of minors in political campaigns, the petition also alleged widespread electoral bribery and questioned whether the existing enforcement mechanisms were sufficient to curb illegal inducements during elections.
The matter before the Madras High Court stems from a public interest petition challenging certain campaign practices allegedly witnessed during the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. According to the petitioner, political parties were allegedly using children in campaign-related promotional activities and online content, thereby indirectly attempting to influence adult voters within families.
The plea urged the Court to issue appropriate directions to the Election Commission for framing stricter regulations that would expressly prohibit political parties and candidates from involving minors in election campaigns. The petitioner argued that children should not become instruments of political messaging or electoral influence, irrespective of whether such participation is direct or indirect.
Responding to the allegations, the Election Commission submitted before the High Court that the existing regulatory framework already discourages and restricts the use of children in political campaigns. The Commission referred to its press release dated February 5, 2024, through which political parties and candidates were specifically advised against involving children in any form of election-related activity.
According to the Commission, the advisory makes it clear that minors should not be used for political campaigning, public meetings, election rallies, publicity events or any activity connected with the electoral process. At the same time, the ECI informed the Court that it is presently reviewing the existing framework to determine whether additional safeguards or more comprehensive guidelines are necessary.
While acknowledging the importance of the issue, the Election Commission argued that the present petition did not place sufficient material before the Court to establish that children had actually been engaged in campaign activities in violation of the existing instructions. The Commission contended that the allegations lacked specific factual details demonstrating direct involvement of minors in electioneering.
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It further submitted that India’s electoral system is founded on the principle that every adult voter independently exercises his or her franchise after applying personal judgment. Therefore, the argument that campaign content involving children could indirectly influence parental voting behaviour would require substantial evidence before any legal consequences could follow under the existing statutory framework.
Apart from concerns regarding children participating in campaigns, the petition also highlighted allegations relating to the distribution of money and other inducements to voters during the election period. In response, the Election Commission outlined the extensive surveillance mechanisms employed during elections to curb electoral malpractices.
The Commission informed the Court that multiple enforcement teams were deployed across Tamil Nadu, including:
- Flying Squads;
- Static Surveillance Teams;
- Video Surveillance Teams; and
- Other election monitoring units established to detect violations of the Model Code of Conduct and election laws.
The Commission stated that these teams functioned continuously throughout the election period to prevent illegal inducements and maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
The Election Commission also placed before the Court details of its enforcement action against electoral bribery. According to its submission, authorities acting through the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) seized cash, valuables and other assets worth approximately Rs 599.24 crore in Tamil Nadu up to April 22 during the election period.
The Commission maintained that these seizures reflected the robustness of the monitoring mechanism established for the Assembly elections. It reiterated that attempts to influence voters through monetary inducements or distribution of valuables constitute serious violations of election law and are liable to attract criminal as well as electoral consequences.
The Election Commission further emphasised that electoral bribery and undue influence are prohibited under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and that violations are dealt with under the applicable provisions of criminal law, including the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) wherever necessary. The Commission maintained that every complaint received during elections is examined through established procedures and appropriate legal action is initiated wherever sufficient material is found.
Background: Growing Debate Over Children in Political Campaigns
The issue of involving children in political campaigns has attracted increasing public attention in recent years. During election campaigns, political parties frequently organise roadshows, public rallies, cultural programmes and social media campaigns where minors sometimes appear in promotional material or accompany political leaders.
Concerns have been raised by child rights organisations that children should remain insulated from partisan political activities and should not be used to influence electoral narratives. In response to such concerns, the Election Commission had issued its advisory in February 2024 cautioning political parties against involving minors in campaign activities. The present proceedings before the Madras High Court may now lead to further clarification or strengthening of these guidelines.
The petition continues to remain under consideration before the Madras High Court. The Court is expected to examine whether additional regulatory safeguards are necessary to prevent the participation of children in political campaigns and whether any further directions should be issued to the Election Commission regarding enforcement of election laws.
The proceedings are also likely to examine the adequacy of the Commission’s existing mechanisms for preventing electoral bribery and ensuring free and fair elections in the State.
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