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TR Zeliang speaking at the ‘colloquium’ on clean election at the Platinum Hall of the NBCC in Kohima on Nov. 29.[/caption]
Kohima Bureau
Kohima, Nov. 29(EMN): The government of Nagaland and the church represented by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) and the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) have taken a pledge to support and abide by the Clean Election Campaign (CEC) being spearheaded by the churches in Nagaland.
The development comes after perceived discernment that the malpractices surrounding the conduct of elections in Nagaland were the major cause of most of the problems faced by the Naga society.
A commitment toward said venture was taken on Nov. 29 at the Platinum Hall, NBCC office, in Kohima during a ‘colloquium’ on clean elections organised by the NBCC for the church and Nagaland legislators.
The statement was signed by Chief Minister TR Zeliang on behalf of the Nagaland govt.; NBCC general secretary Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho and NJCF vice president Rev. Dr. N Paphino signed on behalf of the churches.
The govt. and the church have pledged also to lead and take the responsibility of ‘putting in place fair and honest electoral practices.’
“The legislators, churches and citizens affirm that all of us have an investment in the future of the State of Nagaland and that our shared future must flourish without any obstacles,” read the statement which stated that the commitment was done in the spirit of true Christian repentance.
Zeliang thanked the NBCC for organising the joint meeting of Nagaland Legislators and NBCC leaders. He welcomed the bold step taken by the churches toward checking corrupt practices in the electoral system.
“I am in full agreement with NBCC that all is not well with the existing electioneering system. It is true that efforts have been made in the past to address this deeply rooted malaise, yet, a tangible solution to effectively combat this evil have not been found and we continue to suffer its ill-effects unabated,” Zeliang said.
“When we closely look into the issue of electoral malpractices, it truly is an issue of colossal magnitude confronting each and every one of us. It, therefore, calls for pooling-in our collective wisdom to tackle this menace once and for all. Towards this end, I can assure you that my government is prepared to leave no stones unturned in seeing that measures required are taken to ensure clean elections,” the CM said. He has sought support and cooperation from the NBCC and the Civil Society including students and youth organisations in tackling the issue.
While appealing the NBCC and churches to be active partners, Zeliang suggested also the need for involvement of the churches in checking ‘distribution of cash’ by candidates/ agents beyond the Election Commission’s prescribed limits; assist and participate in social policing and enforcement of the prohibition act including substance abuse by voters during elections.
“There also should be restriction on church workers from participating in any election related activity/ gatherings including dedicatory prayer services. In our common fight against electoral malpractices, we may not be able to bring about changes overnight; yet, our struggle should be relentless and unwavering,” Zeliang remarked.
The NBCC’s General Secretary Zelhou Keyho regretted that selfishness and greed had taken over the good and of common sense, and respect and honour ‘we once possessed as our traits.’
Keyho said: “Nagaland has become a land of happenings. We seem to be covering up issues and problems that are happening daily without solving or finding our way out. This has doubled our burden leading people to become sceptical of the things we do. We talk of back door appointments, but coming to power through our election system has become the front door of all frustrations, disappointments and evils. But we can change and we must muster the will to change if not for our own sake for the sake of our younger generations. If we don’t, we will all perish like fools and people will trample on us.”
“We have taught our people that birthright can be bought and now rampant selling of birthrights has become very common. There is no sense of fear or guilt for the buyers and the sellers as well. Everyone with a sense of reason, ethics and emotion knows that something is not right in our context when it comes to electioneering process. However, we are finding it hard to come out of it. Where have we gone wrong and who has taught us that dead people can vote?”
For those who are at the helm of power, he urged them to take responsibility to set the system right. “We must learn to listen not only with our ears, but also with our intellect, our heart and our eyes. We must not think that people are complaining unnecessarily and take them lightly. They are speaking their mind because the system has failed them. We have broken our promises, we have forgotten them.” He added that the Clean Election Campaign was an uphill battle but a ‘worthy fight’ nonetheless. Also, he observed that the people have become negative and sceptical not because they were born to be that way but because they had seen enough.
To the legislators he said: “We are rationale beings and if we do not use our reasoning power to bring change, what value is there to call ourselves as a Christian majority state. Can’t we become an advocate of what is right rather than trying to continue to do what is wrong by any means? It is in your hand to spin the wheel to positivity by speaking the truth doing what is right and loving justice. Until we do that the negative spin will continue.”
Keyho made it clear that the church was not playing politics by trying to usher in free and fair elections in a system that has gone weary, not that it was against any political party.
“As Christian candidates, guard your faith, do not sell your political will to political parties that seek to destroy your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ,” Rev. Keyho said.