DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 26 (MExN): The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) today asked voters in the state to “vote with pride knowing that you are exercising your vote for all that you hold dear.”
A press statement from the NBCC General Secretary, Rev Zelhou Keyho urged against proxy voting. “Do not allow other people to vote for you. Your vote is your voice and it is the power of a single vote that will make the difference. We need development, good road, good governance, transformation and change in the system but all these will only happen when we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. Above all things, the Nagas need God; only then, things will fall into its rightful place,” the NBCC stated.
It further asked that people in the state avoid post election violence but embrace each other to build a better society. “Let us pray for all the 195 candidates as they await the result. Less than one-third of them will make it but we must pray for them all that God will give them the grace in victory as well as in defeat,” it added.
The NBCC noted that “we all long for genuine change today and if we are all serious we must forget our differences and move forward. Clean Election Campaign is not a story, it is a testimony of the church it is your personal testimony.”
Recounting the events that have surrounded the run up to the polls, the NBCC said: “If one thing can be observed, it is the power of agreeing to give up on which is not tangible and agreeing to do things for common good.” Election in the state, it said, is not an option but an integral part of the system.
It meanwhile acknowledged the support for clean election campaign initiated by NBCC which came from all corners. “It is supported by all the denominations, the civil society organizations, the hohos, students, political parties, parliamentarians, and individuals in their own capacity. We all believe that for things to change our electioneering system in Nagaland must change,” the NBCC added.
It affirmed that clean election is a movement and “it is far from over.” The NBCC stated that the campaign for free and fair election doesn’t end with election. “The ills that come with election have been deeply rooted. We must continue to clean the mess we have created for decades only then we will see change. The fight for corruption that has plagued our society must be put to a stop in order to build a progressive society.”
It informed that the NBCC would take the voice of the political parties during their election campaign to root out corruption to task and expect them to keep their words when they come to power.
The NBCC observed that along with the candidates’ commitments towards change, transparency, development etc, there have also been “ugly attacks and counter-attacks some of which were very personal.”
“We have also seen the game of attaching and detaching to maintain a safe distance to woo voters. The question is, are they serious about it? At this point, it is for us to wait and see whether they really mean what they say. Will they be able to walk the talk?” the NBCC questioned.
To the voters, the NBCC stated: “We must look at the larger interest of our state and gaze to our future for which we are all passionate about. Change the way we do things, transform our condition and situation for a better tomorrow, expect a corrupt free society. For all these to happen we cannot continue to harbor things on party line but come together and join hands with another to bring about change that is truly needed.”
This however, it pointed out, would only happen if “self transformation precedes the call to transform our society that has become so corrupt and so badly divided.”
The NBCC also admitted that the journey to clean election was marred by “violence and discord among communities.” “We also get reports of money playing a bigger role this time. It is indeed very painful that we so easily sell out the most precious gift “the birthright” for momentary gratification,” the NBCC lamented.
However, it also pointed to “individuals and families returning the money to the giver.” “They are the people whom God has preserved as remnants in our society. These instances may be small in numbers but they speak out loud that the process has begun and is gaining ground,” it expressed hope.
The NBCC observed that the common platform is another thing that has stood out prominently, and that “the control of party common camp and feasting has been much reduced.”
Overall, the NBCC stated that Nagas desire that promises made by politicians will not only become election rhetoric but something that politicians will seriously put to fulfilling. “Remember after five years you are coming back to visit the voters and that time around, you will have the chance to declare your achievements rather than just promising. Your best achievements will be your testimony,” it said to the contenders.
