Akangjungla
As the first-ever urban local body election with 33 per cent reservation for women was conducted in Nagaland state, the scene in almost every ward was very much anticipated. Taking place after a gap of two decades, the ULB Election 2024 had 523 candidates, 325 male and 198 female in the fray in 24 Municipal/Town Councils election spread across 214 wards. Nagaland has three municipal councils-Dimapur, Kohima, and Mokokchung and 36 town councils. Six of the 19 wards in Kohima, eight out of 23 wards in Dimapur, and six out of 18 wards in Mokokchung have been reserved for women. The last elections were held in 2004. In 2017, attempt to hold the elections with 33 per cent women reservation was met with resistance. It sparked violence claiming two lives, damage of properties, and resignation of the then Chief Minister of Nagaland. After a long wait of 20 years, acting on an order of Supreme Court, Nagaland conducted the elections to its urban local bodies.
The appeal and resolve for fair and free election remains a distant dream as conduct of any election in Nagaland are marred by rampant proxy voting, booth capturing, use of money and alcohol, and violence to some kind. Election reveals a lot about the people and the community. More than the legit electoral procedure and the goal to elect a candidate, elections in Nagaland turn into a festival of misery. People wait for elections so that they can start ‘campaigning’ by way of selling and buying votes, intimidating the other party and party-workers with threats and consequences, ganging up youths to ‘defend and guard’ the candidate, and practice ‘proxy voting’ and endless indulgence in feasting with alcohol.
During this urban local body election, the colony councils were actively engaged in the process by way of taking stands and adopting resolutions. Most of the councils prohibited non-registered voters, outsiders or bogus voters within the jurisdiction and also cautioned of action against ‘violators.’ The failure to uphold this resolution resounded very clearly as news outlets reported of police arresting groups of people lodging together in different locations. There were also several reports of people renting out buildings to accommodate ‘workers’ and ‘supporters’ from outside. Months and weeks before the election, candidates were paying visit to each households with gifts and cash with the appeal to support their candidature. It did not shock the people when on the day of the election, more money, more bogus voters and more force were engaged to make sure a particular candidate gets more votes. In the quest to make a person win the election, people are not hesitant to lie, cheat and abandon their own consciousness and moral. There is no hesitation to trade the valuable vote with the dream to buy a car, mobile phone or even benefit nothing out of the deceit and dishonesty.
Election is not limited to the few weeks of campaigning. Election is a free act where every citizen gets an opportunity to participate in building a better present and future. Being chosen and to attribute winning the election should be a humbling experience. Unfortunately, the system of election is made fallible due to ‘lack of wisdom and understanding,’ and elections in Nagaland have turned into a negative condition. For better elections, we need better voters. And perhaps, the actual work required is for awakening the moral consciousness of the people.
Comments can be sent to akangjungla@gmail.com
