Ao Baptist Pastors Fellowship (ABPF), in collaboration with the district administration and district election officer undertook a clean election prayer rally in Mokokchung on Tuesday.
The rally was flagged off by Shashank Pratap Singh, deputy commissioner of Mokokchung, from Imkongmeren Sports Complex and culminated at Town Square (Police Point).
Speaking at the flag off function, the deputy commissioner stated that everyone is aware of the term clean election. He, therefore, stated implementation of fair and clean election should start from the voters. He expressed hope that all the voters are clear about what is right and wrong adding that the concept of fair and free election depends on one’s conscious.
He also sensitised gathering on the activities of the Election Commission of India's SVEEP programme. He informed that the programme was organised to make voters aware of their rights, responsibilities, duties, and how to make the society better.
“In democracy, vote is the biggest asset; universal adult franchise is the biggest asset in democracy,” he asserted.
He said that the activity of SVEEP was to sensitise every voter make aware of all the aspects of voting practices, clean election and ethical voting. While strongly opposing to proxy voting, he stated that one should take their own decision in voting for any candidate/ political party by their own free.
During the programme, Rev. Dr. Prof. Mar Pongener, ABAM executive secretary, spoke on ‘Nagaland for Christ;’ while Rev. Aowabang Ozukum, pastor of Guwahati Ao Baptist Arogo, spoke on ‘Clean election against corruption;’ Imnatoshi, pastor of Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo and president of Nagaland Pastors’ Union, spoke on ‘Vote for clean election;’ Rev. Dr. Lima Jamir, pastor of Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo, spoke on ‘Free and fair election;’ and Rev. Sentisashi Aier, pastor of Kohima Ao Baptist Arogo, spoke on ‘Vote against communalism.’
Rev. L. Meren KichuKichu, pastor of Sabangya Compound Baptist Arogo and president of AIFF, proposed the conclusion remarks.