Jakarta – Political parties participating in the 2009 general election are barred from recruiting children for their political campaigns and other political activities on the field and in commercials, Elections Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) chairman said Tuesday.

"Bawaslu has found indications of children being involved in political campaign commercials and we've warned the party involved," Nur Hidayat Sardini said, as quoted by Antara newswire.

He said the inclusion of children, namely those under the age of 17, was against the 2008 Election Law.

Under the law, all campaign-related initiatives are barred from enlisting citizens with no right to vote, which includes children. Violation of this principle is considered an election crime.

National Commission for Child Protection chairman Seto Mulyadi added that children should not be involved in the election, as they have rights that need to be respected.

"We really hope children are not involved in the campaigns. A child's right to receive protection needs to be respected, let's not use excuses to bring along children just because there are no babysitters to look after them," Mulyadi said, adding that political parties should not use children as a political gimmick.

"That's manipulation. Political education for children should not follow methods for adults," he said.