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Dimapur, October 31 (MExN): The Core Committee of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council’s Clean Election Movement (NBCC-CEM) on Monday stated that it was appalled by the declaration of a ‘Village Consensus Candidate by Chungtia Village under Mokokchung district.’
In a press release, the Convenor (NBCC-CEM) Dr Villo Naleo and Co-Convenor Rev N Suhuto Chishi stated that the matter, which was recently taken up by the Guahati High Court, Kohima Bench, was an indication that “the appeals of Clean Election Movement in Nagaland are whimsically brushed aside when Election comes.” It appealed to various organisations in the state to be more vigilant towards electoral malpractices.
Stating that the Committee is appalled by such practices still prevailing in the mindset of modern citizens, it maintained that such practice is against the Election Code of Conduct; “but more than just the declaration, the approval of such declaration by the society and civil organizations are even more discouraging.”
According to the Committee, the village council making resolutions that are punitive and dismissive is unthinkable. “In principle the village councils are structurally mandated to be inclusive and restorative, to be the mediating agents of any differences that may arise,” it said.
Further, condemning all similar declarations either by village or group, it expressed hope that the Church and the Village council would be more vigilant in the future so that such incidents will not recur.
“We also believe that the Church leaders will pave way in leading the believers in building a just society… We believe this notice will serve as an admonishment cautioning various organizations to be more vigilant and invite each one to participate in the Clean Election Movement,” it added.
