The highest spending candidate spent an average of Rs. 30 crore, says YouthNet’s ‘Post Election Watch Report 2018, Nagaland’
Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 17
With an average of over Rs. 14 and 7 crore per candidate respectively, Zunheboto and Dimapur districts lead the state in total election expenditure. 16 candidates spent a total of Rs. 236,20,45,000 in Zunheboto and 17 candidates spent Rs. 132,80,00000 in Dimapur (See Table).
The highest average spent per household was Rs. 75,000 while the overall average cost per vote in election to 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly was Rs. 5000-10,000 in Nagaland. The state went to poll on February 27.
The data was revealed in the ‘Post Election Watch Report 2018, Nagaland’ released by YouthNet here today during a press briefing at “Made in Nagaland” Centre, Kohima.
The report stated that the money spending trend as per the demands of the voters points that the voters in general in Nagaland has less or no regard or completely ignorant of the importance of election, besides gaining hefty pockets of money.
To carry out the survey, youth representatives from all 11 districts came together to collaborate and collect information from their respective districts on which this report is based.
“This research is made out of an exhaustive effort to bring to the notice of the people of Nagaland on how the wrong election system is affecting the alarming level of corruption in our State today. The present system of election creates a vicious circle- wealth drainage during election- rampant corruption of cut/share system from funds meant for development- no development/no productivity- stagnation of job both in the public and private sector- unemployment and poverty- same system of election,” the report stated.
From spending the approximate total of Rs 569, 96,00000/- (Five hundred and sixty nine crores and ninety six lakhs) in 2008 elections to Rs. 937,82,67,500/- (nine hundred and thirty seven crores, eighty lakhs, sixty seven thousand and five hundred) in the 2013, the spending increased to Rs.1061,09,25000/- (Rupees one thousand and sixty one crores, nine lakhs and twenty five thousand) in 2018 .
This is an alarming call to all the people with conscience, especially the educated youths of today, it stated adding the continuance of this trend of spending will lead to complete sell off of the future of Nagaland.
Stating that the main purpose of conducting this study by YouthNet is an effort towards Electoral Reform and also creating accountable and transparent governance in the state, it stated “There is no intention of maligning any individual or any political party whatsoever. In fact the awakening of the people’s conscience would help the politicians and leaders as a whole to serve the people better towards all round development.”
It stated that the statistics are an estimate of expenditures incurred, which has been carefully compiled from reliable sources of information, and field study. It reiterated that the figures cannot be said to be the cohesive conclusion but maybe the nearest amount spent during the recent election.
A common data collection chart was made for all the 196 candidates. The report is inclusive of materials, including; mobile phones, two wheelers, four wheelers, etc, however, this is a report confining only to cash expenditure spent, the report stated.
LOWEST, HIGHEST SPENDING CANDIDATES
Top 5 lowest
spending candidates
The Lowest Spending candidate is from Zunheboto District who spent an average of Rs. 45,000/- (Rupees forty five thousand). The second Lowest Spending Candidate from Kohima District spent an average of Rs. 280000/- (Rupees two lakhs and eighty thousand). The third Lowest Spending Candidate from Mokokchung District spent an average amount of Rs. 5,00,000/- (Rupees five lakhs) and the fourth and fifth Lowest Spending Candidates from Wokha District spent an average of Rs. 7,50,000/- (Rupees seven lakhs and fifty thousands) each.
Top 3 highest
spending candidates
The top three highest spending candidates are from Zunheboto District, Mokokchung District and Dimapur District. The highest spending candidate spent an average of Rs. 30,00,00,000/- (Rupees thirty crores). The second highest spending candidate spent an average of Rs. 27,00,00,000/- (Rupees twenty seven crores) and the third highest spending candidate spent an average amount of Rs. 23,00,00,000/-(twenty three crores).
Average amount spent per voter and per household
As per the research, the highest average spent per household is Rs. 75,000/- (Rupees seventy five thousand). The overall average of Nagaland per vote is between Rs. 5000/- to Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees five thousand to Rupees ten thousand).
