Kohima, July 14 (MExN): The ruling NPF and opposition Congress have welcomed the NBCC’s Clean Election Campaign, an effort, the parties termed as “a ray of hope for the people of the State” that would obliterate the myriad of controversies that have surrounded the elections held in Nagaland after it attained statehood.
Taking part in DD Northeast “Trends of Nagaland” program Saturday, Shilumar, Central Spokesman NPF and Dr.K.Hoshi, Chairman Media Cell, NPCC, while appreciating the initiative by the NBCC said if successful, the State would not only remove the scar left behind post-elections in the past but would credit the Church for being the first in the country to initiate for free, fair and clean elections.
Shilumar said candidates of any party often tend to go the line of unfair means and malpractices to match the schemes of the opposing candidates to gain political advantage. He however viewed that practices of proxy voting, booth capture and underage voting can be halted with the will of the electorate.
The NPF spokesman said there had been an instance in the past when a candidate spent just a hundred rupees to win the elections. He however said the times have changed and that there is a need to instill in the minds of the voters on the concept of exercising their franchise.
Dr.K.Hoshi of the NPCC said Congress party had responded to the call even before the NBCC had launched its campaign. “The first step towards clean elections is to have clean electoral roll and we have initiated the process for clean electoral roll by demanding the deletion of all multiple entries, duplication of photos, underage enrollment,” he asserted. “We want one man-one vote to be implemented in letter and spirit,” the Congress leader said.
Replying to a query on who is to be blamed for use of money and muscle power during the time of elections, Dr. Hoshi viewed the blame game is “reciprocal- the political leaders and the voters are to be blamed equally. We may not be able to put an end to it but we can certainly minimize it. The fear of God alone can put this to an end on permanent basis. The hearts of the people needs to be changed spiritually,” he said.
Also taking part in the discussion, Dr. Hovithal, convener of NBCC’s Clean Election Campaign said NBCC has been praying and issuing statements and press releases in the past. However realising that there is an urgent need to engage the worldly powers with the spiritual power, NBCC has set up a Working Committee on Clean Election in 2011 with 9 members. Since then the Committee members have been working towards the goal with God’s grace.
He said the Church has no other interests or any hidden agenda to support or stand against any political party but the NBCC’s sole purpose is to tell the truth, to fight for the truth, to stand for the truth and to bring about a positive change in the society.
“The NBCC will be working in association with all other Christian Denominations, Youth, Students, NGOs and the unchurched group of our society. Ignorance is one cause of wrong electoral practices. Hence NBCC will be taking up capacity building in a big way. Towards this end, a TOT for the youth of all Baptist Associations has already been held,” Dr. Sothu remarked.
Dr. Sothu said Naga National workers (Undergrounds) involving in state politics is a major concern raised by many and said they should not be made to be used as tools or puppets by some people as their aspiration and pursuit is different from the constitutional impetus. Their involvement has been very annoying because by using arms, threats with dire consequences etc, they have been stealing the rights of the public,” he remarked.
He expressed happiness about the assurance of full cooperation by both the Congress and NPF and said “I am positive that this movement, ‘the people’s movement” with God’s grace will usher in a new era of Clean Elections in our society. We may not see 100% success in 2013 election, but the good fight will go on and some day Clean Election for Nagaland will be reality.
Pastor Mongzueng, member Clean Election Campaign said the initiative was long awaited in the context of electioneering in Nagaland. He termed the issue should be forth-telling and not fore-telling adding that the choice of candidates by any political party should be reflected through the quality and personality of a candidate and not any others.
The audience who took part in Saturday’s discussion programme were drawn from Kohima Science College and some of the members from the Naga group on the social networking site ‘The Naga Blog.” The audience besides posing queries to the panelists also agreed with pastor Mongzueng’s assertion on the choice of candidates.
They also raised their hands in approval that a free, fair and clear election is a possibility in Nagaland’s future elections under the initiative of the NBCC. The show was hosted by K.V.Nurumi, senior journalist and TV presenter and a repeat telecast of the programme will be shown on DDK Kohima Sunday at 6 P.M.
