Longleng, January 28 (MExN): Under the theme ‘Valuing Life’, a Citizens’ Rally on Clean Election was organized by the District Level Clean Election Coordination Committee under Phom Baptist Christian Association (PBCA), Nyengching: Longleng on January 28 at the Public Ground here.
With a purpose to invite all the citizens to listen to different voices on Clean Election, the citizens gathered at the Public Ground immediately after the morning worship, informed a press release from PBCA.
Rev. Toshimeren, Pastor, Ao Baptist Church representing the churches in Longleng said electing a God fearing leader is every citizen’s duty. Therefore, he urged the citizens to adhere to the NBCC and Longleng District Churches’ Clean Election agenda.
President of Phomla Hoichem, Shamthai on behalf of the women in Longleng spoke on the theme ‘Teamwork in Clean Election.’ She asserted that the women should also be given the freedom to vote and requested for peaceful election. Speaking on the theme ‘Bible and Clean Election,’ Tialemba, PBCA Executive Secretary said, “As believers of Christ, it is the duty of every citizen to demonstrate Christian spirit in electing future leaders and also act like a believer during election.” Distributing money and substances by any group or leaderships is against the Bible, he stated.
Representing the Phom Students’ Conference and young people of Longleng, Mane spoke on the theme ‘Young Minds on Clean Election.’ He maintained there is a thirst for good leadership in the state and Clean Election is a good medium in achieving the purpose.
Lungphi, former vice president of Phom People’s Council and former vice chairman of Longleng Town Council requested the citizens to maintain peaceful atmosphere in the district. He cautioned the citizens against misunderstanding between parties and groups, damaging other’s houses and properties, attacking people etc.
On behalf of the children of Longleng district, Lilong stated, “We are your children and we believe the future of our land rest in our shoulder. But our tomorrow will be based on what foundation you are laying for us today.” She urged the elders to give the children a society where there is no hatred and division. “Help us see a clean election where precious vote is not sold to money, where people elect their leaders based on sincerity and commitment to work for people…Give us a town where there is no fighting among different groups and give us a street where we can roam around freely without fear…if you want us to face tomorrow with our head held high, let the clean election happen in our land today,” she appealed.
Y. Nuklu Phom speaking on the theme “Our Voice and Our Stand on Clean Election” stressed upon the Value of Life. Valuing life cannot be separated from exercising Rights of Life and Voting is a right of a person which doesn’t belong to any person except the self, he stated. “When one is sceptic or against Clean Election and says no to Clean Election, it’s the other way of saying, we don’t want good governance, we don’t want development, we don’t want good Leaderships for the land, we want to devalue God’s given life and want people to struggle and create disorder in the Christian Land. This ideology needs to be questioned by every good citizen,” he said.
On the Stand of the Church, it was sensitized that whoever resolves to stand and walk with Clean Election, a white flag will be hoisted giving a signal that the family stands for Clean election. It may be noted that on January 28, the Phom Baptist Christian Association and its Churches organized a Pastor’s Pulpit Exchange in all its Churches focussed on Clean Election.
Robin, SDO (Civil) spoke on the Model Code of Conduct and requested the citizens to adhere to the election norms. Other Nodal Officers demonstrated on VVPAT machine and Web Casting. The officers Rao and Theja said all the polling booths will be under CCTV surveillance and urged the citizens to follow every detail of the election norms.
