RAUTAHAT, Sept 14: Despite the warnings issued by the Election Commission, various political parties in Rautahat have violated the election code of conduct by using young children in their poll campaigns.
Children can be seen holding flags and chanting slogans of various political parties. The people are eager to cast votes in the local elections announced almost after 20 years. But the parties are strictly forbidden to involve children in such campaigns.
There are altogether 18 local units in the district including 16 municipalities and two rural municipalities. More than 4,000 candidates are vying for various posts in the district. With not much time left for the elections, parties are busy reaching out to every possible voter using pickup trucks, mini trucks, tractors, and other vehicles. A large number of children are seen involved in such campaigns.
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In Garuda Bazaar of the district, candidates are openly using young children for entertaining the voters. However, the concerned authorities who are entrusted with the responsibility of inspecting such activities have turned a blind to such issues.
According to Lalindar Thakur, who owns a salon in Garuda, parties are violating child rights by involving children in promotional activities. He informed that even the independent candidates are found doing so. But none of them have been punished for breaching the election law.
The EC has strictly forbidden sticking pamphlets and banners on public or governmental buildings. But such pamphlets can be widely seen at temples, schools and other public buildings. Besides that, they are not allowed to play loudspeakers or create any other kind of sound disturbances especially when they are not holding mass gatherings. But still, the parties are irritating the locals with loud sounds of their theme songs and slogans. But still, no action has been taken against the stubborn leaders and cadres.
Likewise, a candidate is not allowed to use more than two vehicles but they are using a number of vehicles. According to District Election Office (DEO), no official complaints have been filed against any parties yet. Chief District Officer Uddhav Bahadur Thapa said that the security personnel have been deployed in various parts to inspect the violation of election laws.
