Dimapur, Jan. 28 (EMN): A rally dubbed the ‘Longleng citizens’ rally,’ seeking to push the ‘clean election’ campaign was conducted in Nyengching Longleng on Jan. 28 at the area’s public ground.
The event, with the theme “valuing life,” was organized by the district clean election coordination committee of the Phom Baptist Christian Association, updates in a press release from the organisers informed non Sun.
“With a purpose to invite all the citizens to listen to different voices on clean election the citizens gathered at the public ground immediately after the morning worship,” the updates informed.
Rev. Toshimeren, pastor of the Ao Baptist Church representing the churches in Longleng said, “Electing a good fearing leader is every citizen’s duty...’ He urged the citizens to adhere to the objectives of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) and the Longleng District Churches’ Clean Election.
The president of the Phomla Hoichem Shamthai also spoke on behalf of the women in Longleng. The women leader spoke on the theme “teamwork in clean election” and said that any decision in making a leader must be a ‘corporate decision.’ The women of the society should also be given the freedom to vote one’s vote, she said while appealing to all to ensure that the elections are peaceful.
The executive secretary of the Phom Baptist Christian Association Tialemba also spoke on the topic “Bible and clean election.” The association’s leader was quoted as having said, ‘As believers of Christ, it is the duty of every citizen to demonstrate Christian spirit in electing future leaders and also act like a believer during election.’ Distributing money and substances by any group or leaderships is against the Bible, the updates stated.
Speaking on the topic “young minds on clean election,” a representative of the Phom Students’ Conference and on behalf of young people of Longleng, Mane, said that there is ‘a thirst for good leaderships in the state and clean election as a good medium is achieving the purpose.’ He said, “Alone we can do very little but together we can achieve much.” The updates stated that the Phom Students’ Conference had also during its previous conclave had resolved to support the clean election initiative of the church.
Lungphi, a former vice-president of the Phom People’s Council and former vice chairman of Longleng Town Council requested the citizens to ensure peace in the district. He said that clean elections and the election rules were not something prepared by the local bodies. They are the Election Commission’s ‘order giving rights to every citizen to vote with peaceful environment,’ the updates stated.
‘Therefore, as a permanent citizen and settler of the town and the district he cautioned the citizens against misunderstanding between parties and groups, damaging other’s houses and properties, attacking people etc.’
Representing the children of Longleng district was Lilong who called upon the citizens with this appeal: “We are your children and we believe the future of our land rest in our shoulder. But our tomorrow will be based on what foundation you are laying for us today.”
According to the updates, the child said further: “Dear elders, give us a society where there is no hatred and division, give us a home built by hearts where we can learn love. Help us see a clean election where precious vote is not sold to money, where people elect their leaders based on sincerity and commitment to work for people. Help us see the election today where people participate by prayer not by force, money, alcohol and drugs.”
“Give us a town where there is no fighting among different groups and give us a street where we can roam around freely without fear. If you say that you love us, if you say you care for our future, if you want us to face tomorrow with our head held high, let the clean election happen in our land today.”
The sub division officer (civil) Robin gave an explanation about the Model Code of Conduct and requested the citizens to observe the prerequisites set by the election authorities. Other officers gave demonstrations about the use of the VVPAT machine besides demonstrating what webcasting was all about. Officers Rao and Theja said that all the polling booths would be under surveillance of CCTV and urged the citizens to follow ‘every detail of the election norms,’ the updates informed.
Another citizen, Y Nuklu Phom spoke on the topic “our voice and our stand on clean election.” The speaker emphasized on the value of life. ‘The life we live isn’t in anyone’s hand, nor does it belong to anyone except God, and therefore, this life must be valued by one and all. Valuing life cannot be separated from exercising Rights of Life and voting is a right of a person which doesn’t belong to any person except the self,’ the updates stated.
Therefore, the updates stated further about his speech, “Giving away money for someone’s vote, buying votes, booth capturing is a threat to life, the Life which Jesus Christ purchased with his precious blood.” He said that, it is one way of saying ‘we don’t want good governance, we don’t want development, we don’t want good Leaderships for the land, we want to devalue God’s given life and want people to struggle and create disorder in the Christian Land’ when ‘one is sceptical or is against clean elections and says no to clean election.’
This ideology needs to be questioned by every good citizen, Nuklu Phom said. The message of clean election is like a ‘voice in silence yet it is going to steer citizens who want a better tomorrow because we have had so much of wickedness and terrible life existence for many generation. We must do away and God will not fail us.’
On the stand of the church, it was informed that whoever resolves to stand and walk with the objectives of the clean election campaign, a white flag would be hoisted ‘giving a signal that the family stands for clean election.’
‘It is to be mentioned that on the 28th of January, 2018 the Phom Baptist Christian Association and its churches had organized a pastor’s pulpit exchange in all its churches focussed on clean election,’ the updates stated.
Some people also raised some queries during the event. The queries were clarified, it was informed.
