There cannot be presumption of children having influenced voter behaviour in Tamil Nadu, Election Commission tells Madras High Court
The Election Commission of India informed the Madras High Court that there is no legal presumption that children influence voter behavior. The Commission is, however, considering new guidelines for political campaigns targeting children.
Why it matters
This case addresses the intersection of political campaigning ethics, child protection, and electoral integrity.
There cannot be a presumption of children having influenced voter behaviour during this year’s Legislative Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu since all voters are adults capable of taking independent decisions and also protected by law for maintaining secrecy of voting, the Election Commission of India (ECI) told the Madras High Court on Tuesday (July 14, 2026).
Nevertheless, considering the age of social media, the Commission shall examine the desirability of imposing restrictions on political campaigns aimed towards making appeals to children and “if required and if the situation warrants,” suitable guidelines would be put in place, the ECI told the first Division Bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan.
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