Election is held to determine a candidate who can lead his Society towards Social transformation and positive changes both politically and economically. The objective of the election should be to elect our leaders who shall boldly address the issues concerning education (Schools & Colleges, Students & Children) health (Hospitals, PHCS and Dispensaries for young & old) employment generation, pension schemes, adequate power (electricity) supply, water supply for all, better road connectivity, transport and communication for general public, contract allotments, social problems in our society, quick relief and rehabilitation programmes in emergencies, efficient administration for the peace and security of all his society members, and most importantly law and order situation in our society. Elected members form the government, the government is elected to power for the security of one state in all the respects. The elected members (Government whichever party no matter what) should be able to initiate “Peace Plans” without distinguishing colours, heights, clans or lineages, tribe or dialects to protect and preserve “Right to live in any society”, so that love, closeness, friendship, brotherhood and peaceful co-existence can have their faces. At the same time word “ism” or “isms” will die out ultimately.
However, during the general election we witness some of the practices that are not good in the Christian state like that of Nagaland. For instances, excessive drinking of (Rum/Modus) excessive presenting, slaughtering of cows (Mithuns) and pigs for the candidates for the future favours, spending excessively whooping amounts if compared can even employ many people in the jobs for their life time, creation of local armies, local brigade for the election period, creation of many VVIPs, VIPs, appointing of unnecessary Chairman and Secretaries or Presidents, deployment of Khel warriors/ Colony brigade youth to the opponents camps to say “Hurrah!!!” or “Vote for the so & so”, damaging of many vehicles, raiding of houses/ homes before or after the election, organized gang-fights, stoning each other between the opposing party supporters, followed by social unrest and tension in our society.
Some practices that are also prevalent in Naga society during the general election.
1. Excessive spending by politicians to win election: It will take many years to recover the amount they had spent, so transparency and accountability is not possible in public offices.
2. Excessive drinking in election time: People from villages, towns come to enjoy alcohol binges, the result is violence and bloodshed.
3. Destruction during election time: Many homes, vehicles, properties etc are seen damaged as a result spiritual life and social relationship will be damaged.
4. Booth Capturing: At times to capture voting booth some unbecoming persons often employ tough guys-boys from villages, towns, jungles to win the election.
5. Murder of “Right to vote for”: Birth right is given by God. So, we can vote in whose favor I want to vote for. Voters should not be threatened to vote for using force/ violence.
6. Exercise of franchise: At times underground persons cast their illegal votes. Morally 15, 16, 17s are corrupted by the elders.
7. Double votes: Some have their names in both the villages and towns. Multiple entries is not legal.
8. Creation of unnecessary unions/ agents/ secretaries: Social factions are created so respect in the society will be practised no more.
9. Using of “Alis” and “Coolies”: They are “necessary evils” to win your election but one day they may conquer the indigenous people.
10. Classless Society to Class Society: Corrupt and illegal become more richer while right ones become more poorer. Result is “Haves and Have-nots” so division is very clear.
11. I am the-hero-attitude in election: Some people do wrongful activities to get illegal sanctions in the future.
12. Issuing of threats: At times supporters of one group issue threats to another opposing party to win election.
13. Torture of innocent voters: At times law enforcers illegally torture the innocent voters for no fault of their own. It’ll be good if no body (voter) is allowed to loiter about the polling station after he/ she exercises his/ her franchise.
All the practices prevalent in Nagaland too have definitely negative impact on social life, economic life, religious life, moral life and political life. So, if such traditions are despicable to our society, then, it needs the participation of the Churches, Hohos, NGOs, Civil Societies, Students’ Federations, Village elders, tall and short leaders of every party- regional or national as well as the nationalists to cleanse or abandon these practices for the better future of tomorrow. This time we are anticipating the good leaders (government) who will tell good stories for the Nagas.
PITO TUCCU, VITOKA AYEH, AYEHO AYEH JACOB KIKON
SATAKHA TOWN ALAHUTO ZBTO S. POINT ZBTO KOHIMA
