Some of those who voted YES had this to say:
• How long can we allow these elected representatives to keep cheating us and taking the people for a ride? They should realize that they may fool the people sometime, but they cannot fool the people all the time. Today, the Naga people are becoming more aware of our rights and are not afraid to speak out the truth. The people should unite and demand that the Nagaland state government provide good governance which is just and democratic.
• Yes. I believe the majority of the people did not sell their votes this past election. This majority of people are the ones that have deep concern and will be willing to take the bold steps necessary. This does not mean that those who sold their votes will not join in, they did it out of compulsion to earn a few thousand to feed their family. When the time comes, I believe the people will rise up and demand that the Nagaland government fulfills their promises.
• Yes, we are prepared because we care. Government should acknowledge our concern. It should be accountable for a free and just government. Government should inculcate 'we the people, by the people, for the people' ideologies and perform in the most democratic way. With the opposition torn to shreds a good democratic government is a far cry.
• Yes, Nagaland is heading towards dictatorship
• It is not enough to have young people in the government, because overtime, these young people also start behaving just like their masters. What we need is people who think and act differently. They are the ones who will ultimately see that the government is held accountable for a just and democratic governance. There are already plenty of people who fit this description.
• Nagas are prepared for that. Infact, a government should function in the most justful and democratic way. If they dont, may hailstones crush your heads.
• Nagas must, as we have voted them to power.
• Yes, they will do now so many dynamic youth are in Government.
• For a just and democratic governance, Yes. Our elected leaders should be accountable because we voted them only to represent, work and voice for us accordingly. On our part, we should be loud and clear, transparent in all dealings and truthful.
• There is no other choice but for the people to become more vigilant. The last ten years has shown that when the people take the government for granted, the government takes the people for a nice ride.
• Yes, if the Naga civil society can mobilize peoples power, we can hold the govt accountable for a just and democratic governance. Organizations like the Naga churches, Naga hoho, NSF and others must take a more active role. They need to speak out for the people.
Some of those who voted NO had this to say:
• No. The public voice is very weak. Nobody will lead to bell the cat. There is no unity among us. So it would be difficult to protest against government weak policies and misadministration. Also many of the individual has been bought by money during election. So we cant expect proactive role from those who sold their votes for a few thousand bucks.
• No, its very unlikely because the empowered group of people are the ones who are responsible for maintaining the status quo. If only they were active and courageous enough to reject the corruption and unjust practices of the government, than I am sure there will be a lot of positive changes in Nagaland.
• No, Nagas are all corrupt. Nobody is just and hence, democracy is not a possibility. First, each Naga citizen must realize and repent.
• Nagas will never bring any changes as long as we r after money. we don't know what the government is doing or what is there performance in the past rule . Vote 4 any government seeing there past development n their future programs of the party then we can only make the government accountable by bringing government changing or electing again if needed for more terms like in the state of Tripura
• Justice is still in vain and needs to be weighed as per the laws. So, not yet there.
• No. Do not expect too much from ordinary people. The type of people or the large middle class that is needed to put a check on the Government is still in its young teenage stage.
• Sorry to say but our leaders does not know what is democracy, good governance, transparency n accountability, role of a welfare state, justice, rule of law, and we r to be blamed equally for electing those ignorant people to be our representatives n leaders.
• I dont believe the elected MLAs have any interest in working towards and providing a just and democratic governance. All they will want to do is recover the money that they have lavishly spent during the elections. And while trying to get back the money, they will bribe many people along the way to just keep shut. So in the same way that they have bought off the votes, they will also buy their money back. Hopefully, with the new governor talking about the need to check corruption I do hope that the Naga society will also get involved in checking this menace called corruption.
• People are not prepared to make sacrifices. They are not ready to call a spade a spade. This is the problem with the Nagas. Unless there is a change in mentality, there will not be any changes in the near future.
• I feel the people don’t care anymore because those in government services – whether politician or bureaucrat – only care for themselves. The people are no longer in the equation.
Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say:
• There really is not much choice. Whether Naga people are ready or not is no longer the question. The problem is that any further degradation of our society will result in a revolution of such magnitude that will make Nagaland even more vulnerable. So before we reach that point, we have no choice but to do something about this situation.
• In this political climate where the ruling party has absolute majority, there is a tendency to take everything easy. But this is also where the problem lies. The people need to voice out more and play an active role in keeping the state government accountable and in check, if not, we are all doomed.
• Beside other acute ailments such as protracted unresolved Naga political issue, isms, you name it, plaguing the contemporary Naga people and its society at large ever since then, what undoubtedly found to be wanting in Nagaland is lack of transparency and accountability on all spheres at every level where the govt and the public are inclined to be engaged in blame game by one accusing the other, “dirtier and less sincere than the other and vice verse!” Well, as seeing is believing, governor Ashwani is in for more pleasant surprises at first hand on the Land of Festivals.
• Nepotism, favoritism, corruption and backdoor appointment will be unabated and its gonna ruin the values of democracy.
• We need to wake up the ignorant mind, herd mentality through intensive advocacy n awareness.
• Nagaland has become a lawless banana republic state. Nothing seems to be working. From bad roads to no electricity to bad governance, we have it all. But the saddest part is that the public of Nagaland has kept quiet and have been spectators to this lawless situation. This has emboldened the Nagaland government to do anything they want and sometimes behave as if they are the king of this land. It is high time the intelligentsia wakes up and starts playing a responsible role in holding the government accountable. It is still better late than never.
• It is time for Naga people to wake up from their deep slumber and start working for the Naga future.
• For people to start taking a pro-active role in holding the government accountable and for checking to see that there is good governance in Nagaland, I think a few of the politicians and bureaucrats should be sent to jail on corruption charges. Only then, I think the people will believe that justice will prevail. As long as people don’t believe that justice will prevail, there is no reason for them to say anything. So, best way to motivate the people is for the Centre to initiate some corruption investigation and sent those corrupt politicians and bureaucrats to jail. This will make Nagaland a must better place to live in.
