Debate heats up over children’s role in upcoming poll campaigns

Amidst elections to the municipal councils and the House of Representatives fast approaching, the debate over children’s participation in the electoral campaign is gathering steam.

The parliament in its last session rejected a draft law to ban the participation or employment of children in electoral campaigns except with the consent of the child’s guardian or parent’s representative.

The draft law aimed to “prevent the political exploitation of children that involve tampering with their innocence’, which was supported by the National Human Rights Foundation. However, rejecting the law, the Council of Representatives observed that educating children about democratic practices, instilling the national spirit and developing respect for national values and democracy, in line with the findings of the Committee on Women and Children is also a significant democratic process.

The rejection also sparked anger, especially among some activists who said the act of the House of Representatives is unjustified, especially in light of the Child Protection Law criminalising the exploitation of children in rallies, marches and demonstrations that are politically intended. Speaking to our sister paper Al Ayam, the head of the Parliamentary Committee on Women and Children Anas Bu Hindi defended the parliament’s decision.

 “The elections are an essential part of the democratic life in the Kingdom, which must be understood by young people and practised since childhood within the limits and certain controls.