Urges Church to be more proactive in condoning evil practices of election system
Chizokho Vero
Kohima | June 25
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) today formally launched a clean election campaign by releasing a booklet to educate the people on the prevailing election system and urged people to rise to the occasion to stand and act together for free and fair elections. The next state general election for 60 members House of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly is due in 2013. However, the date is yet to be announced till date by Election Commission of India.
Releasing a booklet on clean election campaign entitled “Engaging the powers: Elections- A spiritual issue for Christians” here at Rivenburg Memorial Chappel, ABCC this afternoon, NBCC General Secretary Rev. Dr. L. Anjo Keikung said the purpose of the booklet prepared by the Working Committee on Clean Election Campaign (WCCEC) is to educate the people on clean election.
We have different strategies and it would come one by one, he said adding that the booklet is the first of its strategy to educate the people on clean election. He made the NBCC stand clear that the campaign is not against targeting any individual or party but projecting the truth, adding that in humble way the NBCC want to reach the people through a booklet about the truth.
Admitting that the Young Mizo Association (YMA) is doing a tremendous job in Mizoram as far as elections is concerned there, Rev. Dr. Keikung however regretted the case in Nagaland is totally different in respect of understanding and mentality.
He said that skit/drama will also be part of the campaign which will be performed at different institutions. Besides, there will be a series of seminars including a state level seminar on July 5 in Kohima.
Rev. Dr. Keikung said that there is nothing to hide about the ugly face of election in our land. “Can we continue like this and sell off our birthright and future?” he penned in the booklet. He said that even the election code of conduct laid down by the Government of India itself is good enough to conduct a clean and fair election. More so, as Christian dominated state, Nagaland could have shown to the world the conduct of election in a much better way based on Biblical principles. The church has raised this issue during every election in the state but we have gone against God whom we worship. “Should we continue and invite the wrath of God?”
NBCC President Rev. Keviyiekielie Linyü said we should be very grateful to God for the right of the people to elect our own leader. He also stressed on the need to start the campaign right from Sunday School to Churches, schools and every hostel. He said that if we start now, in 5/10 years time God will answer our prayer.
He said the right to vote, the power “to uproot and pull down… to build and plant” (Jer 1:10) is so precious a gift of God. And this gift has been given to all mankind. The way we handle this gift is the measure of our spirituality.
“For too long we have not given this gift of God its rightful place in our lives. Some people are denied the use of this gift, some people disregard, some misuse, some use it as a bargaining chip for immediate worldly benefits, The Church is concerned,” Rev. Linyü penned in the booklet.
Also stating that today the Church, standing on the word of God, is launching the initiative for free and fair election in Nagaland, not because we trust in our powers of persuasion but because we had our hopes in God and we want to wait upon him, Rev. Linyü said. “It is my prayers that all citizens of Nagaland will read this and participate in this initiative prayerfully with open mind and make the right choice and rise to the true measure of spirituality we are created for.”
