Chakhesang Clean Election Movement consultative meeting
Kohima, March 7 (MExN): The Core Committee of the Chakhesang Clean Election Movement (CCEM) conducted a consultative meeting with Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) and other frontal organisations in Kohima on March 7.
Addressing the meeting, the Chakhesang Baptist Church Council (CBCC), Executive Secretary, Rev Khrotso Mero observed electoral system itself is excellent but it is the people who are manipulating the system. “Therefore, the church will continue to take up clean election campaign to address the malpractices during elections and there is no turning back,” the Reverenced asserted. He also implored on the age old customary practices where “integrity and honesty prevailed back then” and challenged the youngsters to ponder on those lines when electing leaders in the future, stated a press release issued by the CCEM.
The CCEM Chairman, Rev Vezopa Rhakho said, “The church in Nagaland was mocked at for its Clean Election Movement and NLPT Act but that does not mean the church failed. Rather, it is able to slowly educate the people and make them realise what is good and bad.” ‘Having achieved even a few percent is an achievement in itself,’ he said and called upon the members not to give up.
He also informed that common guidelines and other materials like posters and pamphlets in regard to clean election would soon be worked out.
CCEM member, Murohu Chotso gave a clear explanation on the electoral roll and lay emphasize on ‘one man-one vote’ and one enrolment in one electoral roll. CCEM member, Mikha Lomi presented on various topics like clean election in Christian context and deletion of fictitious name in electoral roll. “Since clean election campaign is a Christian movement, it should be based on the Bible. Christian way of electing leaders ought to be practiced and election should be conducted based on facts not fake,” he said.
Meanwhile, the CPO President, Vezuhu Keyho said that criticism is omnipresent in every good action/initiative that is/are to be taken. But one should not focus on criticisms but rather concentrate on achieving the targets. The CPO assured support to disseminate information with regard to clean election movement (CEM) to denominations irrespective of churches they represent.
Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF), President, Vezhoduyi Nakro advocated for deletion of underage voters in the electoral roll and laid emphasized on the need to discourage such mal-practices in the community. While endorsing CEM, the CYF assured support and added that they are ready to do what is good for the people.
Editor of the Chakhesang Students’ Union, Kuzoto Swuro pointed out the need to take the CEM down to the grass-root level and suggested for awareness campaign among the community level particularly to those who do not go to church.
He recommended CCEM members to approach intending candidates to limit hard/soft (online) cash transactions. Setting up of party offices and camps in the village should be discouraged, he added.
The members decided that seminars would be held in various levels, to be initiated by the Area chairmen and CCEM members. Towards this, CCEM member Zachive Thele suggested for inclusion of Booth Level Officers in the seminars to which the house agreed.
The house also decided to contact video content creators for creating educational videos with regard to clean election.
Further, CBCC has set aside March 27 as Clean Election Sunday to create awareness on clean election movement.
“The sermon outlines, to be prepared based on the Bible verses, would be made available to the preachers/pastors to disseminate to the congregation,” it stated.
