Our Correspondent
Mokokchung | January 27
Undeterred by the mounting challenges it faces in its endeavor to ensure a clean election, the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM or Ao Baptist Churches’ Conference) has sent out a pledge card and booklet on clean election to all churches affiliated to it. The pastors or church leaders asked every household to ensure that they receive the pledge card and booklet. However, the results are yet to be seen at the forthcoming general elections scheduled to be held on February 23 this year.
Despite the skepticism of many, many others believe that the endeavor of the church will bear fruit, if not now, maybe in the future.
The President of Watsu Mungdang, Dr. Imlirenla, a strong advocate of the Clean Election Campaign, said that the campaign is a long-awaited and cherished dream which has come true.
“If we try, there is every possibility of success. We should not term the malpractices in election as a chronic disease; if other states like Mizoram and Meghalaya can do it, why not Nagaland?” asks Dr. Imlirenla. She maintained that if the clean election campaign succeeds then the expenses of the candidates will be reduced greatly and people can expect more developmental works from their elected representatives.
Meanwhile, the ABAM convened a meeting on January 22 to discuss about the clean election campaign. Representatives from the church, Watsu Mungdang, Ao Senden (Ao Hoho), Ao Students’ Union and village councils were invited to attend the meeting. The Convener of the Joint Action Committee on Clean Election Campaign, ABAM, Temsula disclosed that the churches were yet to submit the Pledges signed by the congregation. Expressing her optimism that at least fifty percent of the Ao population will accept the initiative by the church in good faith, Temsula said that a totally clean election might not happen this year. Nonetheless, she was hopeful that the process of ensuring clean election will become a reality in the years to come.
“Candidates spend crores of rupees during elections. Once they are elected they amass the spent money and thus neglect developmental works. Once clean and fair elections are ensured, the path of development in Nagaland will surely change for the better,” Temsula stated while appealing the people to take a pledge to ensure clean election.
For now, skepticism is high. But there are many, even among politicians, who welcome the move. Veteran congress leader and former chief minister, Dr SC Jamir (during an interview earlier) commented that NGOs and schools should join in the clean election campaign. Though he endorsed the campaign wholeheartedly, Dr Jamir remained skeptical of its success. However, he said the church should carry on the campaign.
It may be noted here that the NBCC initiated a Clean Election Campaign (CEC) to root out malpractices in the election process. The 2013 General Election will be the first test of the CEC.
