People, who have children in the age group of 6 to 14 years, will be able to contest local bodies and panchayat elections only if they ensure that their kids go to school, a recommendation by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) says.
The NCPCR has written to the chief ministers of all the states recommending them to make amendments to the election rules of local bodies and panchayati raj institutions in order to check children dropping out of the school and improve attendance in compliance with Right to Education Act.
"The Commission hereby recommends that all the states may amend in their elective rules of the urban local bodies and panchayat raj institutions that it is mandatory for every candidate, whose children/wards are in the school going group of 6-14 years, and who want to contest election, should obtain a signed certificate from the school's principal," the letter said.
The purpose of such an exercise is two-fold.
"It will facilitate increased interaction of the contesting candidates with the schools thereby enabling them to understand the issues faced by the educational institutions.
"Also, it will help in enhancing the awareness generation and seriousness regarding free and compulsory education to be made available to every child as his/her constitutionally guaranteed fundamental right," the NCPCR letter said.
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