DIMAPUR, JANUARY 14 (MExN): In view of the coming State General Election, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) appeals to all political candidates, party workers, village councils, church leaders and the public to maintain free, fair, just and accountable election in 2008. In a guideline issued by the general secretary of the NBCC stated that a true Christian ought to be a good and responsible citizen and voting is vital to ensure that laws are enacted that confirm to God’s law. As such it encourages all its members to vote and added that the church will preach voting right as a “divine-birth right” and that proxy voting is a sin against God and fellowmen.
The NBCC said that the Church must not allow itself to ‘vote-trading’ for church development projects but stay clear out of any partisan activity. It added that the church will not permit the use of the pulpit by any politician or its party workers prior to the election. The release states that all the associations and local church under the NBCC should adopt its own resolution in addition to those given by the NBCC.
In reference to the candidates, NBCC stated that there should be no secret deals or agreements with selective individuals, clansmen or others. It says that all discussions and manifestations should be issue-based and in public domain as the election is for all the people by all the people. NBCC also denounces the use of alcohol and establishment of youth camps as they disturb the already fragile social atmosphere of towns and villages, endangering the future of the youth. It further terms the practice of booth-capturing as obnoxious and said that any design to capture election booths is unconstitutional and against the will of God.
The council goes on to say that party workers should develop inclusive vision and work to fulfill party manifesto, practicing tolerance towards all, including those opposed to them. “They should avoid all forms of cheap propaganda, character assassination and refrain from exploiting the elected members for self gain”, it says adding that all party workers of all parties should be in touch with each other and work in tandem to usher amity and cordiality. “Absolute tolerance should be the guiding principal of all parties”, it adds.
Village councils are urged to ensure that the right to vote is not curtailed and take upon itself the divine duty to accommodate all diverse opinions of its members and find ways to maintain peaceful existence at all times, especially during the polls.
The undergrounds are also advised saying that the aspirations that the Naga national workers profess and pursue are different from the constitutional impetus of the Government of India. In this light, the NBCC says that the involvement of the Naga National workers in the election is seen by the common people as a ‘sell-out’ of the very spirit they cherish. Therefore, the Council says that the national workers must uphold their aspiration strongly and stay clean.
