Nagaland
NTCA appeals citizens to support Clean Election Movement
The Nagaland Theological Colleges Association (NTCA) has declared its support to Clean Election Movement (CEM) under the aegis of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), and called upon the theological community and citizens of the state to be a part of the CEM.
The association’s media cell in a press release appealed citizens to voice out against selling of votes and to do away with dual voters’ ID, proxy voting and intimidation. NCTA also urged citizens not to get involved in booth capturing or indulge in the practice of mass support (clan, village or family) to a particular candidate.
To enhance Clean Election Movement (CEM), NTCA said it had adopted the theme ‘Christians and Politics’ during the 19th NTCA annual meet held at AGC at Zubza, on November 5 and the 6th, 2022.
The annual meet also underscored the need for every citizen to strictly adhere to the code of conduct laid by the Election Commissioner of India (ECI).
“During the annual discussion, the NTCA community underlined certain issues, that there is no wrong or difference between political and Christian values, but the problem lies in electoral roll, where even Christians hold on to double voting cards,” it stated.
NTCA said the public needs to be aware of its voting right and to take up issues in line with Christian values to do away with corrupt political system, spiritual bankruptcy and to seek change.
“There is a need of a leader not for conquest but one who stands for love and sacrifice. One needs to point out problems and issues of unequal distribution of wealth. The church should be a channel and call for theological education to say ‘No to corrupt money’,” NTCA said.
NTCA also said it had always maintained that the ‘Church and Politics’ are always there to serve the people, though there are mutually independent and self-governing.
“This common purpose will mean that the Church and Politics, on occasions, share a common ground in their pursuit of a more just society. The Church has the right and duty to provide a moral judgment on temporal matters, when this required by faith or moral laws,” it stated.
CEM seeks to instruct and illuminate the common conscience of the faithful, particularly those involved in election, so that their actions may serve the promotion of the human person and the common good of all, NTCA added.