Monalisa Changkija Editor, Nagaland Page, addressing the National Voters Day occasion at Dimapur on January 25. (DIPR Photo)
A call for young to effect change in the political behavior of the country by being proactive
Dimapur, January 25 (DIPR): National Voters’ Day was celebrated in Dimapur at the office premises of the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur on the theme ‘Ethical Voting’ on January 25.
Editor of Nagaland Page, Monalisa Changkija graced the occasion as chief guest. In her address, Changkija said that National Voters’ Day is very important in the life of any self-respecting democracy because it underscores the supremacy of the people and determine the destiny, which is scripted by the people and for the people. When one does not exercise their franchise, which may be due to apathy or because one is prevented through muscle or money power it invites disaster, even catastrophe for the Nation.
“Ours is a parliamentary democracy fashioned along the west minister system, which is based on the principle of one-person-one vote. Each individual is regarded as the nucleus of the State; therefore, everyone has responsibilities, duties and rights, which are very unambiguously enshrined in our constitution,” said Changkija.
Every citizen who has attained the age of 18 years has the constitutional duty to cast one vote and has the right to enjoy all rights, liberties and freedoms as per our constitution. When one does not exercise his/her franchise, you have no right to demand any rights, she stated.
One of the major responsibilities of the young is to effect change in the political behavior of the country by being proactive, which is expected from the new young voters. Therefore, she called on them to exercise their franchise on the principle of one-person one vote, to endeavour to make the right choice of your representatives and to ensure that your family members, friends and neighbours are registered in the Electoral Roll. Likewise, the youth are also expected to see that the personnel of the Election Commission do their job as per the laid down norms of the Election Commission of India and not as per vested interests of power circles, centres and cabals which are crucial component for ethical voting.
Citing the example of Nagaland, she said that tribalism in its worst from eclipses all senses during election. Elections are contested along tribal, clan range and village lines consequently merit is sacrificed at the altar of narrow tribal considerations and calculations. Therefore, she called on the new young voters to make it a bounden duty and moral obligation to ensure that merit is prioritized over all other considerations in a election to bring the much needed change. Be vigilant, imbibe the essence, the ethics, the culture, the legalities and Technicalities of parliamentary democracy and be socially and politically responsible.
On the occasion, badges were given to all the newly enrolled voters. Citation along with some cash was also awarded to the best booth level officer from the five area constituencies of Dimapur District. Earlier SDO (C) Dr. Kadambari led the gathering in reading out the voter’s pledge while SDO (C) Moatemsü delivered a message by the Chief Election Commissioner of India, V.S. Sampath. The programme was chaired by DC & DEO, Dimapur N. Hushili Sema (IAS), while ADC & ERO, Dimapur K. Tarep Imchen, proposed the vote of thanks.
