Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 31
The Council of Rengma Baptist Churches (CRBC) organized a one day seminar on Clean Election Movement for Rengma Village Council leaders on the theme 'Stand Firm: Transforming Community' at Christian School Hall, Tseminyu Town on July 30.
The village council leaders from all villages consisting of Chairman, Head GB, VDB Secretary, Council Secretary under Tseminyu district joined the seminar.
Awa Lorin, Joint Chief Electoral Officer and Dr. Zasekoulie Chusi, Deputy Commisisoner Tseminyu were the resource persons for the seminar.
The village council leaders made a resolution at the end of the program to enforce Election Code of Conduct in their respective villages.
It resolved that no village council/ authority/ clan/ khel should declare a majority-solid support officially in favour of a particular party or candidate curtailing other voters or candidates’ rights.
The village councils will strictly prohibit the use of alcohol, drugs and other intoxicant and use of violence, booth capturing and bribing in their respective jurisdiction during the election.
The seminar started with an introduction and prayer from Rev. Haiwalo Apon, Executive Secretary CRBC.
He thanked the leaders for their positive cooperation through their presence and willingness to be part of the Clean Election Movement.
Awa Lorin shared the importance of vote, election code of conduct and the responsibility the Village Council Leadership as a custodian to enforce the same.
He emphasized on the importance of vote in a democracy “which allows to choose our leaders, to choose the people that will build our future.”
He said neither the Nagaland Village and Tribal Council Act 1978 nor the Election Code of Conduct allows village councils to pass resolutions to violate election code of conduct such as, banning voters to vote for certain candidates or barring candidates from entering their villages.
Appealing the Rengma leaders to bring change from their level, he said “let us not depend on others to bring about the change we want to see.”
Dr. Zasekoulie Chusi spoke on the practical aspects of electioneering system and administrative order.
He reminded the Village Council Leaders that they are the agents of the Government administration as per Nagaland Village and Tribal Council Act 1978, that it rest upon them to enforce the Election Code of Conduct in their respective village.
“Hence, they themselves cannot be defaulters, rather they are to be enforcers,” he said.
In view of the upcoming elections, he urged all the village leaders to give the best cooperation such that the best leader could be elected to take forward the vision of Tseminyu model district.
Rev. Tenga Seb, Convenor of CRBC Clean Election led the raising of hand by all village council leaders to pass the resolution for Clean Election Movement in Tseminyu district.
