Using Children In Election Campaigns Reflects Poor Parenting, Is A 'Cheap Act', Says Madras High Court
Chennai: The Madras High Court has said involving tender children in elections is in bad taste and the tasks they are made to perform at home for making YouTube reels “reflect poor parenting besides being a cheap and politically motivated act.” However, the court said, it was for the country and Parliament to debate if politicians must be allowed to appeal to children to influence family members…
Chennai: The Madras High Court has criticized the use of young children in election campaigns, deeming it a low form of parenting and a cheap tactic. While the court left the decision to Parliament on whether politicians should be allowed to appeal to children, it emphasized that parents should not exploit their children's influence for personal gain.
The court examined a petition regarding the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, where a TVK leader directly appealed to children to pester their parents to vote for him. Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy, presiding over the case, expressed concern over the exploitation of familial bonds and the influence of social media reels on voters.
The judge ruled that such acts could not be considered undue influence under Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and would require a strict interpretation.
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