Kohima, April 17 (MExN): The Men’s Department of Jakhama Baptist Church conducted one day seminar for its members on April 15 at Jakhama Baptist Church.
Speaking on ‘Clean Election’, Kezhokhoto made a strong statement that there must be a breakthrough in this forth coming State General Assembly Election to be held early 2018. Stating that Clean Election campaign has to be a people’s movement, inclusive of all sections of people, he said, “let us all take it as the greatest opportunity to contribute towards good governance and nation building.”
Kezhokhoto Savi who is the President of NVCO and Convenor, ACAUT Nagaland (legal cell) said, “in the context of our Naga society, we misuse our birth-right indulging in proxy voting, selling and buying votes, multiple entries in electoral rolls, community decision against the individuals freedom of choice, involvement of national workers, booth capturing, huge money drained either to win or lose, tamper date of birth, camps becomes a breeding ground of all kinds of malpractices such as, use of alcohol, drugs, gambling, sexual immoralities, violence, etc. “Let us not misuse God-given responsibility for our selfish gains,” Savi stated.
Savi has also suggested to the candidates or political party not to encourage strong supporters or party-workers as it is one of the main causes of expensive electioneering process and these supporters may continue to drain public funds meant for constituency development and others.
Highlighting few testimonies gathered by a Pastor during the last State General Assembly Election includes a chairman of a village was offered a Bolero but he refused to take it, a man was visited and bribed with Rs.1,00,000/- but he refused it, a young man was offered Rs.50,000/- but he refused to take it, one leader was offered Rs.20 lakhs and a Bolero but he refused to take both, etc.
A press release issued by Kehocho Tase, Chairman, Jakhama Baptist Church Men’s Department informed that a nagamese video film based on clean election was shown to the congregation.
Later, the entire congregation took a pledge “not to cast any proxy vote, not to take money, not to indulge in substance abuse, sexual immorality and in any form of corrupt activities, not to manipulate or misguide others, to have only one Voter’s Identity Card, to maintain secret voting, to honour the freedom of choice, etc.”
Other speakers were Dr. K. Acho Sophie, Ketholeho Kulnu and Rev. Dr. Mechiehol Savi who spoke on Good Health, Role of Men, and God fearing family respectively.
