The first ever Tuensang People’s Summit for a free, fair and accountable election 2008 which is also a first of its kind in Nagaland saw the overwhelming response from both the public and its leaders. As reported in The Morung Express, the summit was attended by people from all 120 villages of Tuensang district and included a cross section of public representing the Church, Village Council and student community. Much credit should therefore go to those who initiated this rare and much needed programme. The fact that the concerned leaders were able to come face to face with the masses and deliberate on issues concerning people was indeed a great victory for democracy. What the summit intended to achieve by way of developing a platform for evolving constructive consensus in order to address issue-based concerns through collective action is highly laudable and something noteworthy for emulation in other places of Nagaland. The Tuensang People’s Summit will hopefully become a more regular feature and not only during election time so as to strengthen the democratic process within the Naga polity.
Besides some of the vital issues raised during the summit, one should not overlook the other concern emanating from the public discourse—which is to bring about a more healthy electoral system. In this regard, was the call on the politicians not to abuse the youths for their selfish gains; the democratic right of women to be allowed to vote; free and fair elections and ensuring that the national workers do not interfere in electioneering. Going by the public response in the local media, there is a strong desire to see a cleansing of the electoral process. If this can be done, the cumulative effect will be felt on every sphere of society more importantly in the area of political and social morality. It is very well known that elections are a time when the moral fiber of society is greatly weakened. The blatant use of money power makes it not only an expensive exercise but the damage it does to the individual, family and society remains irreparable. Further, any politician will vouch for the fact that to contest an election is becoming costlier by the day. At the end of the day it is the mounting cost of fighting elections, which is at the very root of political corruption.
But the initiative to address the issue of electoral reforms has been found wanting and is a collective failure of the Naga society as a whole. It will be of interest to note here that one of the outcome of the Tuensang summit showed not only the flaws evident in our leaders but also the failure of people to usher good and responsible governance. It needs to be cautioned that apathy and cynicism on part of the public will only perpetuate the status-quo. The mass based civil society groups have a greater responsibility to work with greater zeal by way of public awareness campaign and facilitating change in the way elections are held—right from the stage of selecting candidates to the campaigning and finally ensuring voting rights to every citizen who wants to participate in the democratic process and its outcome. Some of the grass root organizations are already in the process of doing it and this is welcomed. But much still needs to be done to ensure that people’s democracy triumphs over the demagogue.
