Talikaba Ao
2nd Semester, Department of Mass Communication, NU
Democracy is said to be the best kind of government. Nagaland under the Democratic India, ensures the active participation of the people where citizens get the chance to choose their government through periodical elections. Nagaland held its 14th Legislative Assembly on February 27, 2023 and the aftermath of the election has made a mockery of Democracy.
Taking a glance at the recently conducted Nagaland Legislative Assembly election, there has been many instances of booth capturing, proxy voting, intimation, injustice and malpractices.
At certain villages, the village councils has been seen chasing out Polling Agents of their opposing party, warning off certain party voters and all the unimaginable horrific scenes on the Polling day along with countless pre-poll and post-poll violence.
Re-poll petitions of several polling stations were neglected insipte of clear evidences of undemocratic practices which is a failure on the part of administration. This, in my opinion, arise out of the hefty pressure from the ruling party candidates and also for financial benefits.
Campaigns for Clean Election spearheaded by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) have made tremendous efforts in educating and sensitizing the citizens by organising bike rallies and countless processions. However, one has witnessed its poor result and one cannot justify the citizens not being sensitized. Every citizen knows what the right thing is! People just compromise.
Nagaland, predominantly is an agrarian economy with 71% of its population dependent on agriculture (As per National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency). People are dependent on daily wages and most people struggle financially. Election of capable candidates is often compromised for temporary monetary benefits every five years. Like a vicious circle, there is election then comes corruption and the citizens are left to suffer putting the state's overall development at stake and sedate.
The fact that Nagaland has adoptedan Opposition-less government will not justify what’s best for the society. Those parties which could have collectively formed the Opposition Partyshows their intend of self interest by supporting the Opposition-less. Leaving aside the issue of Naga Solution, opposition in a government is like an ideal wife for the husband in a family and what is ideal for their family and children cannot be decidedalone. Who and which party is there in theAssembly to maintain constant vigil andto voice out for any improper legislations, arbitrariness, and uphold the people’s interest?“In a democracy, the opposition is not only tolerated as constitutional, but must be maintained because it is indispensable”, as stated by Walter Lippmann.
As citizens, everyone, in every nook and corner talks about corruption and to bring changes but it is our responsibility to bring the change to the society. And that change will reflect when we think and practice electing process thinking for long term benefits and for future generations without compromising. Also, theadministrators must be bold against any pressure and must feel sufficient and take actions against any undemocratic practices. Until and unless we do this, our state will remain a mockery of Democracy and the vicious circle will keep continuing.
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