Child rights advocates and government stakeholders have raised concerns over the growing misuse of children during election periods, calling for stronger safeguards both online and offline.
The issue came into focus during a discussion in Kathmandu where findings from a monitoring report by the Children as Zones of Peace (CZOP) National Campaign were shared. The report documented more than 286 cases of child rights violations during the House of Representatives elections held on March 5, with some incidents continuing even after the polls.
According to the findings, children were actively involved in election-related activities. They were used to create and share political content on digital platforms, as well as to participate in rallies, carry party flags, chant slogans and distribute campaign materials. These practices have raised serious concerns about exploitation and the erosion of child protection standards.
Officials from the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens highlighted the increasing risks children face in digital spaces, particularly as they are drawn into producing and spreading political content. Concerns were also raised about the spread of misinformation and disinformation through such involvement.
The National Human Rights Commission has also received reports of similar cases and stressed that preventing the misuse of children must be a shared responsibility among the government, political parties, civil society and the media.
Participants at the discussion called for strict enforcement of existing laws that prohibit the involvement of children in political campaigns. They also urged political parties to clearly commit to child protection and avoid using minors for electoral purposes.
There were calls for the Election Commission to introduce clearer guidelines and monitoring mechanisms to prevent such practices in future elections. Stakeholders emphasised that coordinated action, accountability and public awareness are essential to ensure children are protected from exploitation in all forms.