NVD 2016: Inclusive and Qualitative Participation

Morung Express News
Kohima | January 25  

The 6th National Voters’ Day 2016 was held on January 25 at Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan with PB Acharya, Governor of Nagaland & Assam as the chief guest.  

Stating that the conduct of free and fair elections depends much upon the performance of three stakeholder namely electoral machinery, candidates and the electorate, Governor Acharya urged on the need for each individual to act responsibly. Civic Education in school and universities needs to be encouraged as a central element to foster the political participation of young people, asserted Acharya suggesting measures for organizing political debates and activities in schools that go beyond formal civic education such as allowing spaces for dialogue between young politicians and young voters. The Governor also lamented over the evil practices of the election system in Nagaland which he affirmed, can only be eliminated if all segments of the society can work together and spread awareness.  

Chief Electoral Officer, Sanjay Kumar, IAS shared the perspective and background of the National Voters Day which is aimed to reach out to people, learn the reasons for their disillusionment with the process and help them in realizing the fact that democracy is not complete until everyone is part of it. Mentioning the Election Department’s initiatives to authenticate and clean the electoral roll of duplicate and multiple entries and errors, Sanjay Kumar also mentioned the decline of the electorate in Nagaland where he cited that in 2011, to total electorate was 1338559 whereas in 2016 the total number of electorate was 1140037. However the CEO noted that this is due to the bogus and duplicate or multiple entries and there are still large number of bogus entries which need to be cleared. Kumar urged for greater participation for a stronger democracy to help and ensure clean ethical, informed and inducement free voting. Lithrongla Tongpi, ADC & ERO Kohima spoke on her experience as an ERO. Short speeches were delivered by Geoffrey Yaden, Editor, Nagaland Post, Naga Hoho, NBCC, The Naga Blog and ENPO. Veineinem Singson, Miss Nagaland 2014 & State Icon (SVEEP) also gave a short talk. The vote of thanks was delivered by Rovilatuo Mor, IAS, Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer.  

Zelhou Keyho, General Secretary of NBCC stated that the history of the church in Nagaland in the fight against the evil practices of election in Nagaland dates back to the early seventies. “But the strategic fight on Clean Election Campaign (CEC) is 14 years old and is still long to go. NBCC entered into this fight not by compulsion but because it has become an issue of integrity of the Nagas as Christians. Christian values and ethics were compromised for materialistic pleasure and gains. Consequently the church felt the need to intervene in awakening the moral conscience of the people,” viewed Keyho further mentioning that the fight for clean election is not an overnight war but needs strategic planning and participation with strong will mechanisms and sincerity from the government, the NGOs and the church.  

“The government must put her executive power into action and not become dogmatic at critical times. Clean Election Campaign should not become a speech, a fashion, a seminar but a sincere movement leading to reformation. We must not enter into the blaming game but must come together with a concerted effort because we are all responsible for the mess we have created,” urged Keyho.   While urging for an inclusive and qualitative participation, a representative of the ENPO mentioned how today the so called democratic government in Nagaland has become “government of the money and for the money”.  

Awards were also given out for winners in the debate competition on the topic ‘Clean Election is possible in Nagaland conducted on October 9 2015, finalists representing Nagaland in the All India Online Essay competition and Best Block Level Officer of the Assembly Constituency for the conduct of Electoral Roll for 2015. The Best Electoral Registration Officer 2015 was awarded to M.A Shihab A, IAS, ADC & ERO, Mon, Best Assistant Electoral Registration Officer 2015 was awarded to Dr. Manazir Jeelani Samoon, IAS, SDO (c) & AERO, Tuensang. Viwheno Meratsu, NCS, ADC & AERO, Tseminyu was also awarded for the Special Award 2015 for her commendable achievements in the field of SVEEP.