DIMAPUR, MAY 25 (MExN): Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls on May 28, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) today reminded the people that the Clean Election Campaign is not meant just for one particular aspect of election in the state but that it involves every aspect of the election system “that was alien to our mode of electing people to leadership position.”
Election, a press note from the NBCC stated, is the “civilized mode of putting up committed and able people who independently are moved to serve the people without influence.” Election is not a show of power or wealth but a fair means of electing one who has the will, the ability and the call to serve the people, it added.
The NBCC noted that to be in public office, one needs to possess a definite calling induced by the burden to serve and sacrifice and not to gain benefit for self.
“We are going through a difficult time to define ourselves, our identity and our allegiance. When we look around us we are lagging behind others in all spheres of life be it development or resources, you name it. It is time that we take responsibility upon ourselves to come out of it,” the NBCC appealed.
It added that “we all have failed” and “we have not lived up to the expectation of the public.” “We have been selfish because position is seen as a springboard to amass wealth for self and facilities for few. If we are willing to change we must leave aside the politics of attacking and counter attack, pointing the failures of other is just pointing to our failures and inability to perform when given the opportunity,” it said.
The NBCC questioned what good it would do “if we continue to dig the past and fail to look forward to the future.” It is high time, the council opined, “for us to once and for all say, enough is enough and take our responsibility in the public and private arenas seriously.”
“The more we talk about our failures, the more negative we tend to become. We have forgotten that the ball is in our court and we must come together, put our heads together and seek God’s wisdom for the sake of our people. We cannot leave the state of affairs like this to the younger generation,” it added.
It meanwhile stated that the choice is “whether we continue in this predicament and sink further or chose to come out of it.”
Observing that perhaps the people do not take the bye-election as seriously as the general election, the NBCC however added that “how we deal with any electioneering system will reflect who we are.”
It urged the people to “vote with your God given conscience and without influence.” Stating that the Church has no control over anyone’s vote, the NBCC stated that it “will not define for you to whom and for which party you should vote.”
“Your vote is precious and it is God’s given birthright. The church can only tell you that your single vote is powerful and therefore, you must prayerfully exercise your franchise to bring change in a society that needs much mending. Choosing the right candidate to represent us is important as much as we think of the mess within our own confine,” it concluded.
