Nagaland: CBLT, SBAK hold exchange programme on clean election

Dimapur, Aug. 3 (EMN): As part of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council’s (NBCC) clean election movement on the theme ‘My vote, My future,’ the Chang Baptist Lashong Thangyen (CBLT) and Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu (SBAK) conducted an exchange programme on Wednesday at Suruhoto Town Baptist Church, Zunheboto.

A press release issued by the media cell of SBAK Clean Election Movement informed that pastor of Chang Baptist Church, Dimapur, Dr. Wongto Chingmak, who is also the convenor CBLT clean election movement, stated that the major evils Nagas are susceptible to during election time are selling one’s vote (birthright), proxy voting and use of alcohol and drugs.

Dr. Chingmak said many hands are bound by those evils and that “we should wash our hands and purify our minds for clean hands and clean votes.”

He also stated that many a time the churches are being attacked for standing up against social evils, political injustice and moral failures and for advocating justice and mercy though the churches were responding to the call of conscience for the good of Nagas and for a better tomorrow.

CBLT executive secretary, Rev. Achu Chang, has highlighted on the strategies the organisation has adopted to go about with clean election. The strategies, according to him, included working together with civil societies, to conduct open forum for the candidates, clean election slogans from different churches and signature campaigns, which would soon be initiated by Chang Baptist Church, Dimapur.

He also informed that the churches under CBLT would have “no commitment with the candidates in the name of church buildings and such” and also to come out with leaflets on ‘dos and don’ts’ of clean election and conducting campaigns during vote casting by urging the voters not to sell their votes.

Chang further stated that CBLT has resolved to “continuously preach on clean election in church services.”

The program was chaired by Katoli V Sumi, secretary of SBAK women department, while the invocation was pronounced by Ongmang Chang, former executive secretary of CBLT, and greetings by Kughato K Chophi, STBC convenor on SBAK clean election movement.

Pastor of SBCZ, Dr. Hutton Sumi, responded to the clean election speeches, while Rev. Hukugha Sumi, SBAK executive secretary, led the prayer and commitment and Dr. Niholi Sumi, principal of NTC, proposed vote of thanks. The programme concluded with a benediction said by Khutovi Swu, pastor of Khukishe Baptist Church.