P. Achumse Sangtam
Kiphire
‘Honest Politician's' is now an oxymoron in Nagaland. The anti-corruption crusade which is at its crescendo of popularity and a diminished lost of public faith in the institutions is a direct result of public anger over persistent corruption, lack of transparency and accountability in political system. Nagaland has well-earned a place for itself among the most corrupt States in India. It's almost a non-issue to have politicians worth enough to stand the test of public trust and instances of campaign funding are hardly probed into.
The Campaign for 'Clean Election' launched by Nagaland Baptist Church Council(NBCC) has created a 'buzz', among Citizens and it has for good open a debate on why it is imperative on the part of Society to start taking responsibility in fixing the 'mess' which has accumulated over the years, where the ruling class remaining aloof and non-responsive.
What has contributed to this is the mass-scale Corruption, Proxy Voting and cash-for-votes during election is a familiar phenomenon. Then what ethical qualities and morality, one can expect from the Candidates? Mortgaging of votes makes one disenfranchised.
Clean Election is crucial because with vote comes a voice. Clean Election are an important steps towards empowerment and re-asserting the trampled voice. Critical development efforts cannot succeed without a legitimate and democratically elected government that is responsive and accountable to its citizens. Election provides an important opportunity to advance democratization and encourage political liberalization. Voters should be fully conscious of the value of his vote and the power of the ballot as the most potent instruments of Change.
There are certain elementary actions that need to be taken before electing a candidate that is responsive to the people. It has to ban the practice of outside funding of candidates during election, because most candidates after getting elected ends up been the puppet to their sponsors. Voters should also ensure that no candidates with good appetite for corruption are elected. Various Political Parties would do itself a lot of good by empowering independent panels to make Policies in Public Interest. As a pledge to Clean Election all the intending Candidates should voluntarily declare the assets they hold.
There is no alternative to Clean Election at this juncture. It calls for embracing Change, an engine for the growth of Society. We cannot afford to walk over the corruption that has become the hallmark of our system. We cannot allow communalization of politics to hijack good governance. As a voter we should be conscious and know the responsibility as to what we can do for the society.
Election ensures that the will of the people is reflected in the formulation of public policies and decision. Elections are the bastion of people liberties and mechanism of putting check on the growth of any dictatorial tendencies.
