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Kezhokhoto Savi speaking at the clean election seminar in Kigwema on October 22.[/caption]
Kohima, Oct. 23 (EMN): Pointing out that Naga values of giving back to society is fast diminishing from society, legal advisor of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) and advocate, Kezhokhoto Savi, stressed on the need to revive the good values that Nagas were once known for and urged the people to start thinking of what they can contribute to society and not what the society can do for them.
Savi, who was the guest speaker at the day-long seminar on clean election organised by the Kigwema Baptist Church (KBC) on October 22 in the church premises stated that electioneering process in the State was marred with corruptions due to the selfishness of both the politicians and the people alike. Stating that wrong election procedures can fractures the church and community, he underscored the dire need of clean elections in Naga society with the Church as the platform to start propagating for cleaner elections.
While candidates are often blamed, he stated the voters are also equally to be blamed adding even church leaders are found wanting during elections. He pointed out that votes are bartered not only for money but for employment for which backdoor appointments by politicians have accumulated over the years.
He lamented that people have now come to expect their respective MLAs to find jobs for them or their children and no longer have regard for open competitive examinations. He also candidly stated that candidates, who declare to stand for clean election, were often victimised as people refuse to vote if they don’t get any sort of personal gain from that particular candidate. On the part of politicians, he said they often resort to wrongful means such as bribing and buying of votes with the sole objective to win to be in power.
The speaker also maintained that politics is for building a nation and a society and not for building individual interests nor a tool for acquiring assets. Towards this, he called upon all to get sincerely involved in the clean election campaign and start rebuilding the Naga society together.
During the programme some steps were suggested for promoting clean elections in the village level, including the NBCC propagated common platform for candidates to share their visions for their constituency where the public can also express their views and raise questions; the need for village councils to get involved in the clean election campaigns and initiate ways to curb unlawful electoral practices; inter-denominational discussions and awareness on clean election; to make clean election pledges a continuous conversation.
Sitting MLA of the Southern Angami-I constituency, Vikho-o Yhoshü, who is from Kigwema village, also attended the programme and conveyed his appreciation to the church for coming up with the initiative. He expressed his belief that the concept of clean election is for the general welfare of the society and assured of his support to the movement.
Elders from the village also shared their views and expressed their support towards the NBCC led clean election programme.