‘Clean election should begin at village level’

WSBAK & PBCC hold NBCC Clean Election Movement exchange prog

Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 9

The Western Sümi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu (WSBAK) and Pochury Baptist Church Council (PBCC) held the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) Clean Election Movement exchange programme here at WSBAK Centre Aküvüto, Thahekhu, Dimapur on Tuesday. 

Held under the theme ‘My vote, my future,’ the fellowship between the two church councils was a chance at ‘retrospection of leadership, and its impact in the society.’    

Welcoming the church leaders of PBCC, Secretary DoME WSBAK, Rev Tovishe Sema said, “We are a different tribes, different churches and associations coming together to work hand in hand for the glory of the Lord.” As the two associations pledged to work together towards the clean election movement, he prayed that the movement would be a successful one and bring huge difference in the society.

Election a ‘God-given responsibility’
Speaking on the topic ‘Clean Election,’ Executive Secretary of PBCC, Rev Rümatho Nyusuo quoted Proverbs 29:2 from the Bible, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when unrighteous people rule, people cry.” He likened the verse in the context of the election and its varied policies as, “when the public or the electorates elect wrong leaders, the people suffer. When the electorates send the right people, the people rejoice.”

Hence, he said that the real responsibility now lies with the people who send their leaders to the Assembly. He further put across that election is not just the State Assembly election, but can be in any level – from the national to even the village level. 

“So when we talk about clean election, the need for us to clean the procedure of election should begin in the village level, because that is where everything takes place,” he said, while adding that similarly in each association, this process has to begin where each individual has a role to play in this big exercise of election.

As a church leader, Rev Nyusuo also understood that election is a ‘God-given responsibility’ given to mankind with the freedom of choice. “God’s expectation is that we make the right choices because He respects our freedom. Yet we misuse the freedom granted to us by God,” he added.

Encouraging the gathering, the Executive Secretary said that whatever decision one takes in life, all should come as ‘a reflection of the will of God, to do the right thing.’

He added that the church as an institution run by human beings is run by people who are not perfect. “But just because we cannot fully satisfy the people does not mean we should give up. Even a very good performance can also be considered a failure sometimes.”

He urged the members to never give up striving for the truth while adding that it is that one drop that makes a mighty ocean. “However, if we are not doing anything, that’s definitely a failure. And we need to question the purpose of our existence as a church and also question the purpose of our existence as human beings,” he added. 

Church not a law enforcing body
“As a church, we are not a law enforcing body,” Rev Nyusuo emphasised. The church, he said, is there to sensitize the minds of the people on various issues on their rights and responsibilities. “We are not there to perform the work of a police. In fact when it comes to clean election movement or any other election-related matter, the Election Commissioner is there whose job is to ensure that the process is done in a fair manner,” he said, adding that it can act as a support system to ensure that the society is run and governed in a manner that God expects. 

“And so, as Christians, as members of the same body in the Church, with Christ as the head, we are not expected to take up guns, or go house to house to speak in favor of someone. We are not supposed to be taking money and distributing on behalf of the candidates. Our duty is to go from house to house and tell what the truth is, share the gospel to each individual and spread the message of love. Let us season our society with God’s love and brighten the corner wherever we are,” he asserted.

While regretting that the PBCC senior committee members of the clean election movement could not turn up at the event owing to engagement in the fields for the annual harvest, Rev Nyusuo said that “what is more important for our staff is that we are here in a very beautiful place and our people will go back and tell of your association’s growth and advancement to our people.” He said that “God will continue to work in our partnership in this mission.”

WSBAK to include clean election in Sunday school curriculum
Acknowledging the NBCC team for organizing such exchange programmes among different associations, Kakheli Inato Jimo, Secretary DoWM, WSBAK & Clean Election Movement WSBAK Convener said that it “is helping us to learn many new things from one another.” She also thanked Rev Nyusuo for “enlightening and broadening our vision in many perspectives.”

Jimo added that the WSBAK has resolved to include the clean election movement curriculum in the Sunday school as well, and that the church has decided to give a sermon on the topic once a month, which will total 12 sermons in a year.

“We cannot expect 100% success at one go, but as we plan out and go ahead with this programmes, we pray that we will not stumble and whatever step we take, God will see us through,” she added.

Rev Dr Pughoto Sema, Executive Secretary WSBAK invoked the prayer and commitment towards the movement. Vote of thanks was given by DoCMM Secretary, WSBAK Hojevi Kappo. The programme was led by DoYM Secretary, WSBAK N Suhuto Chishi, while DoCMM Promoter, WSBAK K Vikiho Sumi recorded the event.