The word Election is very familiar to every citizen and need no detail elaboration or interpretation, it is as simple as electing one’s representative to the Assembly in the case of State Government and Parliament in the case of the Union Central Government. The true essence of democracy does we meant, choose a person whom you want him/her to be your representative by electoral process mean. Under normal circumstance, election took place after every 5 (five) years term. And thus, it may ordinarily say people celebrate a great festival of franchise after every five year. To conduct smooth election and facilitate the citizens to enjoy the great festival of choosing their leader, The Election Commission of India and the State Election department enforce Election Laws and Practice in India at the same time coordinate both Central and State election.
To participate in the great festival of franchise or exercising one’s democratic right, one has to registered one’s name in the electoral roll as per directives of The Representation of People Act, 1950. The Act subscribes every bona-fide citizen of India who is not less than 18(eighteen years) of age and is ordinarily resident of the constituency shall be entitled to be registered in the electoral roll of that constituency. But having said that there are certain restriction and disqualifications for a person to get registered on the grounds; if he/she is not a citizen of India; or is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; is for a time being disqualified from voting under the provisions of any law relating to corrupt practices and other offences in connection with elections. Furthermore, “No person to be registered in more than one constituency” and “No person to be registered more than once in any constituency” The Act itself has a penal provision under Section 31 on making false declaration, he/she shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
The challenges and grey area; People tends to be ignorant of election laws and tried to persuade or by employing coercion to get one’s name or their underage children be enrolled. Avoiding necessary questions replies as desire by BLO. Non-disclosure and in-correct disclosure of facts in the matter of previous enrolment in any other constituency, registering more than once in the constituency, death, divorce, marital status, age proof, place of birth/permanent resident, shifting of residence etc.
In conclusion, whatever be the reason or intension, we must realise that mal-electoral process starts from faulty, inflated electoral roll and festival of franchise becomes a mockery to democracy and root cause of all evils in the society today, had the staggering figures of last general election expenditure were authentic and correct as disclosed by the Youth Net. The overwhelming election expenditure does not earn us any good name or our image was built. It was rather portrayed the Nagas in a very poor light before the world as a crazy race after easy money. The election Tsumoney flooded the state just 11 months ago, it does matter a lot, how families suffers even today due to the great calamity, how many people have saved their families and survive the great tide from Tsumoney. Many heroes may have fallen, literally chopped off their hands and eaten row flesh, even innocent sibling hands were not spare for greed, purely for greed in exchange of Tsumoney and morally it is to say that family is without hands today. Avoid and overcome the grave mistake in the days to come because when it is grave there is a heavy to pay and suffer for life long. The faulty inflated electoral roll provides nothing positive in the policy decision making as well as election process. It only encourages proxy voting and unfair distribution of developmental fund. Let us all be transparent, shake off our greed. The need of the hour is about transparency and accountability and let greed alone meet itself natural death. We deserve an authentic and correct information base electoral roll for our own convenience. Let us cohesively work together, think for one another Naga brethren and learn that if there is sunshine and rain in my land the same is equally indispensable in your brethren’s land.
Vecito Chakhesang
