Major parties are found to have violated the election code of conduct in Sindhupalchowk district. Big guns like Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN (Maoist Centre) were found using children for party promotion during election promotion campaigns in major thoroughfares of the district on Thursday.

The parties were holding campaign for upcoming local level polls slated for May 14.

One truck full of school children carrying Maoist Centre flags and wearing their t-shirts was seen at Sangachok Bazaar of Chautara Sangachok Municipality in the district. The children were also heard chanting party slogans.

Moments later, another truck campaigning for UML was seen carrying children holding party flag and chanting ‘zindabad’. Another truck carrying children carrying Nepali Congress flags was also seen during the party's election campaign.

When asked, the children said that they were unaware about what they were doing. They were simply following the party as they were offered pocket money and free lunch.

Most of the children were from nearby villages of Syaule, Gaurati, Ghalegaun and Chature.

“I arrived here in a truck. I was offered one thousand buck and free lunch,” said thirteen-year-old Sabin Tamang of Syaule while shouting slogans from the truck of Maoist Centre. “Schools are off. Here we get money for our idle time. That’s why I came with my friends.”

Nabin Gurung, 13 from Chautre, who was in UML's campaign, also said that he was with the party cadres as he was offered handsome money.

The usage of children for political campaign is against the commitment made by various political parties regarding use of children for political campaigns.