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Dimapur, July 31 (EMN): While affirming to uphold the clean election movement initiated by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), leaders from Rengma village councils have resolved to enforce election code of conduct in their respective villages.
The resolution to this effect was taken during a one-day clean election movement seminar organised by the Council of Rengma Baptist Churches (CRBC) for leaders of Rengma village councils on July 30 at Christian School Hall in Tseminyu town on the theme 'Stand firm: Transforming community.'
It resolved that no village council/ authority/ clan/ khel should declare a majority-solid support officially in favour of a particular party or candidate curtailing other voters or candidate’s rights. It also resolved that village councils would strictly prohibit the use of alcohol, drugs and other intoxicants and use of violence, booth capturing and bribing in their respective jurisdiction during the election.
An update from CRBC stated that Awa Lorin, joint chief electoral officer, and Dr. Zasekoulie Chusi, deputy commissioner of Tseminyu, were the resource persons of the seminar.
The seminar began with an introduction and prayer by Rev. Haiwalo Apon, CRBC executive secretary, who welcomed the leaders and thanked them for their positive cooperation through their presence and willingness to be part of the clean election movement.
He has shared about Nehemiah's model of leadership for social change (justice and reformation), which all leaders should aspire for. He reminded that the Rengma village council leaders are best to act like Nehemiah in order to lead the community for social change.
"If our village council and church leaders obey the law and maintain their integrity, half the work is done," Rev. Apon remarked.
Awa Lorin shared on the importance of vote, election code of conduct and the responsibility the village council as a custodian to enforce the same. He emphasised on the importance of vote in a democracy, which allow one to choose their leaders. Stating that voting rights are inalienable and God given, he urged the village council leaders to ensure and protect the right for all its citizens.
He reminded that neither the Nagaland Village and Tribal Council Act 1978 nor the Election Code of Conduct allow village councils to pass resolutions to violate election code of conduct such as banning voters to vote for certain candidates or barring candidates from entering their villages. He further called upon the village councils to ban drugs and alcohol instead of violating laws.
Dr. Zasekoulie Chusi spoke on the practical aspects of electioneering system and administrative order. He reminded the village council leaders that they are the agents of the government administration as per Nagaland Village and Tribal Council Act 1978 to enforce the election code of conduct in their respective villages.
He further urged all the village leaders to give the best cooperation in electing the best leader to take forward the vision of Tseminyu model district.
Rev. Tenga Seb, convenor of CRBC clean election, has led in raising of hand by all village council leaders to pass the resolution for clean election in Tseminyu district.
The village council leaders from all villages consisting of chairmen, head GB, VDB secretaries, council secretaries under Tseminyu district attended the seminar.