Kathmandu — A total of 305 incidents involving the use of children were recorded during Nepal’s recent House of Representatives election, despite efforts to prevent their participation, according to a new monitoring report.
The National Campaign for Children as Zones of Peace (CZOP) Nepal reported that 286 incidents were documented before the election, while 19 additional cases were recorded after the polls, indicating that the practice has not been fully eliminated.
Children Used in Election Activities
The report found that children were involved in multiple election-related activities, including carrying party flags and symbols, participating in rallies and mass gatherings, chanting political slogans, distributing campaign materials, wearing party-affiliated clothing, and taking part in campaign songs and cultural programs.
Calls for Stronger Legal Measures
Stakeholders present at the report’s release called for stricter legal and policy measures to prevent the misuse of children in elections. Representatives from the National Child Rights Council stated that existing laws are not sufficient and emphasized the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
Officials from the National Human Rights Commission said that while the situation has improved compared to previous elections, significant gaps remain. An official from the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens said improved coordination and monitoring among government agencies contributed to a reduction in such incidents during this election, but further efforts are still required.
Structural Concerns and Future Recommendations
The report also highlighted structural concerns, particularly the widespread use of schools as polling stations. Of the 10,967 polling locations nationwide, approximately 9,450 were set up in school premises.
It added that child-related incidents were also recorded during post-election victory rallies and celebrations. CZOP Nepal urged authorities to address both policy and implementation gaps ahead of future elections and emphasized the need to strengthen safeguards to ensure children are not involved in political activities.
While the number of cases appears to have declined, the report concludes that stricter regulation, effective enforcement, and increased awareness are essential to fully end the involvement of children in Nepal’s elections.
