Dimapur, April 8 (EMN): The ‘uniform code’ for election at present in Nagaland is to either take money or to pre-commit one's vote for job and any other needs.
This was said by Y Vikheho Swu, minister for Roads and Bridges, while speaking at The Morung Lecture on 'Clean Election: Framing the issues in Nagaland' on Saturday at the DABA Elim Hall in Dimapur town.
The first-time MLA from Pughoboto constituency observed that in the state’s 54 years of statehood, electoral politics–especially during the 12 assembly elections that the Nagas have experienced–have impacted more the lives of the Nagas compared to Christianity, education, modernity and the need for economic wellbeing that entered the Naga life.
All these had not done much damage to the character and moral integrity unlike the effects of electoral politics. It has become a sorry state of affairs, the minister conveyed and it has led to "a beginning of a totally new culture of life” and a ‘life wholly dependent on others where one single vote or a family vote is the key to a “great life” of “unrealistic expectations".’
The minister elaborated that the "extend of pre-commitments, request, demands and offers made in elections has become so intense that politicians of all categories make their counts on the basis of this and it has come to a point where candidates have begun to develop doubt on genuine voters, who do not make demands or do not to make pre-commitment."
On his observation of the elections in the state, Swu did not mince words to make some startling revelations on the misconceptions of the people and the resultant wrong practices during elections in the state. Swu said that in the rural areas the first to personally approach the voters often has the advantage to get votes followed by the one who offers first or offers more.
Another basic thumb rule in the state of voting on the lines of on family, clan and village: In the urban areas, he said, elections are dependent on providing employment in specific government posts and to secure promotion, or transfer or posting.
He added that "there is no denying, this has allowed some officer or government servant to be where they want to be posted throughout their length of service, also many have managed to supersede their colleague while government is in their favour.
There has always been political patronage from politicians which has to be stopped".
He however voiced out that that clean elections can be conducted by "Understanding, why elections are held every 5 years."
Educating the Nagas on "Why elections are held, and for what purpose" will truly empower the voters and allow them not to be manipulated or misguided by others.
This is required because democratic principles have not yet taken its roots sufficiently in the state.
That would be the "Beginning for change, beginning for clean election" he further said.
"Educated Naga people must intervene or involve with all sincerity.
It is observed In many cases educated or well to do Nagas refrain from participation in electoral politics giving free hand to few political agents who has the capacity to manipulate innocent voters to their side using all possible available means."
They in turn must "Educate the people that they should elect right leaders, a person who is rational in his or her approaches and practises, one who has right vision for development, broad minded, and above all a person of integrity. " he further said.
He deliberated that though "There are Naga people who have been traditionally clean and will be clean ever so... they have held on and have stood saying 'traditionally we have never begged for a living' the number of such persons are decreasing.
Therefore, this practice that is in place since the beginning of statehood cannot just change overnight or at the press of a button and it required initiatives from someone to make the change, he added.
Lamenting on the previous campaigns launched by the NBCC as not very successful but at the same time not without positives effect, he highlighted the recent participation from the fourth estate, some communities, constituencies and organisations as noteworthy.
Therefore, he suggested to make an appeal to all the civil organisations such as the NSF, Naga Hoho, and the NMA etc. to come forward and join the campaign for clean elections.
He added: "The change should come from every section of the people, from the basic family unit, from a farmer, from a daily wage labourer, from a government employee, from a housewife, from a student, from a teacher, from businesspersons, from a church worker, from a journalist, from a contractor, from a bureaucrat, from the civil society.
Everyone should take responsibility for the current state of affairs and do as much as we can to make a better society for our children to inherit and live in."
The founder of YouthNet, Hekani Jakhalu, delivered presentations on post-election watch and election expenditures of 2008 to 2013 that was also released to the media earlier.
Along with the empirical data collected she also made some crucial observations that. In the election of 2013 in all 60 constituencies, candidates with very high expenditure won the elections.
Only 33 candidates spent less than 1 Crore resulting in win by just one candidate of the lot; eighty five candidates spent between 1-5 crore out of which 24 won.
There were 11 candidates in 2013 who spent a whopping 20 crore and above out of which only 8 won the elections.
Also, she highlighted the drain of wealth during elections and its effect that causes a vicious cycle that involves rampant diversion of funds meant for development; and matters about absence of productivity, stagnation of jobs and economy and unemployment and frustrations.
An open discussion and question round followed the formal programme.
