‘Clean election people’s best defence against corruption'

[caption id="attachment_241433" align="alignright" width="450"] Students and citizens attend the 'clean election' programme, on March 30 at Kiphire town.[/caption] Dimapur, March 30 (EMN): The ‘clean’ election campaign in Nagaland is a movement that should be taken on priority by the electorate in the state, a district administrator has stated. The officer gave this reason: Free, fair and honest voting is the best defence of the people against corruption. The deputy commissioner of Kiphire, M Shayung Phom, gave the statement to a gathering of students during a clean election-themed programme in Kiphire town recently. The establishment of Kiphire district’s education office organised a ‘clean election’ themed programme as Nagaland goes to the Lok Sabha elections. The programme was conducted March 30 at Deluxe Point of Kiphire town. The government publicity agency, the Information and Public Relations department (IPR) stated in its updates on Saturday that the event was conducted in collaboration with the district’s administration. During the event, the deputy commissioner of Kiphire, M Shayung Phom stated that ‘clean’ elections are the people’s best defence against corruption. According to the officer, the Clean Election movement was started to ‘safeguard and nurture democracy’ through educating voters about the menace of corruption, and to invite the electorate to take a stand to refuse bribery and violence. ‘Fair and clean election should be taken as priority in the state of Nagaland. The clean election campaign in Kiphire district can ensure that election in the area is honest and fair,’ Phom stated. The administrator urged the students to be active participants in the movement. Students have a major role to play by educating their parents, and elders of the society not to sell their votes and voting rights, he said. Members of the eleven schools—government and private schools—took part in the programme, the IPR stated.