Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, JANUARY 25
Nagaland, along with the rest of the country, observed the National Voters’ Day (NVD) on Monday at the Raj Bhavan, Kohima under the theme ‘Inclusive and Qualitative Participation’.
Governor PB Acharya, who graced the occasion as the chief guest, highlighted that the National Voters’ Day is observed annually on the foundation day of the Election Commission and this occasion, he hoped, would give impetus to the Commission’s endeavour to make universal adult franchise a reality by creating awareness regarding voting rights and importance of effective participation in the election process.
He stated that the electoral process and adult franchise is the foundation stone of any democracy, and the conduct of free and fair elections depends upon the performance of the three stakeholders, namely the electoral machinery, the candidates and the electorate.
While underscoring the need for all the stakeholders to act responsibly, the Governor also stressed that every citizen must give effort to ensure that the spirit of democracy prevails and also to make complete participation of voters a reality.
In Nagaland, Acharya voiced his concern, that contrary to the provisions of law, the election system has gone deep into many evil practices which, he feels, can only be elimination if all segment of the society work together and spread awareness about informed, un-intimidated and inducement-free voting.
While appreciating the state election department for its recent efforts towards cleansing and purification of electoral rolls of the state, the Governor said it is now high time for the voters to purify themselves. “We are the reason for the downfall of democratic methods in our own state… We have to purify ourselves now, if it is to be a vibrant democracy,” Acharya said sharing his observations as a political activist earlier, how the democratic system is fouled and dictated by both the candidates and the voters. He called upon the voters in Nagaland not yield to the pressures of money power or muscle power.
To put things in the right perspective and to achieve a free, fair and clean election, the Governor stressed the Election Commission also has a great role to play along with the different sections of the society, and the youth must also awaken.
“It is the bounden duty and responsibility of every responsible citizens of our great country to be a partner towards building a vibrant democracy free from all electoral malpractices,” he asserted.
Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) general secretary, Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho, in his brief speech said the history of the church in Nagaland in the fight against the evil practices of election goes back to the early seventies, but the strategic fight for clean election began 14 years back. He said the NBCC entered into this fight not by compulsion but because it has become an issue of integrity of the Nagas as Christians, and Christian values and ethics were being compromised for materialistic gains.
He observes the need for strategic planning and participation with strong willed mechanism and sincerity from the government, NGOs and the church. “The government must put her executive power into action and not become dogmatic at critical times,” he stated.
Rev. Keyho said the Clean Election Campaign should not become a speech, a fashion or a seminar but a sincere movement leading to reformation. “We must not enter into the blaming game but must come together with a concerted effort because we are all responsible for the mess we have created,” he said.
Representing the Naga Hoho, the organization’s secretary Chitho Nyusou in his address highlighted points of concern and the apparent malpractices that take place in the state during elections.
He mentioned that to have a clean election, a clean e-roll is needed and in pursuance of this goal, the election department started a cleaning drive of the electoral roll.
“A staggering 1,98,522 voters being deleted within a span of 5 years (2011-16) speaks volumes of how much bogus voters we have enrolled and who has gained out of this ghost volunteers. When divided to the average number of voters in any constituency, we have had 20 bogus constituencies!” he pointed out, and asserted, “If we are to clean our society, we have to clean our pseudo electorates”.
He also went on to add that it is the electorates who start the corruption- with demands of feasts, cash, cars, alcohol, backdoor appointments etc. Meanwhile, the candidates are no more buying individual electorates but entire village councils, which was witnessed during the last election, he stated candidly. Even on the part of the election officers, he said, they violate ‘one man one vote’ by allowing voters to cast proxy votes, and stressed further that presiding officers committing such offence must be made accountable.
Nyusou pointed that with such malpractices rampant in Nagaland, it would be a challenge for all to fight those menaces efficiently by mobilizing the rules and regulations to the masses, to maintain clean e-roll, supervise nomination of candidates, monitor election campaigns, funding of candidates, so as to make every electorate a fearless, proud voter without being influenced or induced by any anti-social element.
Editor Nagaland Post, Geoffrey Yaden also shared his observations as a mediaperson who has kept a close watch on the electoral politics in Nagaland. He feels that Nagas vote “over enthusiastically” as they have made records in voting percentage in successive elections and in a way this indicates a referendum about their belief in democracy.
On the drop in the number of voters from 13 lakhs to 11 lakhs during the purification of electoral rolls, Yaden said it is a significant drop, however there could still be some lacunae and more accuracy in figures is needed.
He also expressed serious concern over practices such as selling votes, threatening and diktat to vote for a particular candidate etc. during elections. “These are issues confronting not just the department but all of us,” he said. He emphasized that the election department, while sensitizing the people on their rights as voters, must also be clear on which officials to be contacted during elections and further ensure that the officials are responsive to the public.
Earlier, the Chief Election Officer (CEO) Nagaland, Sanjay Kumar presented a brief background of the National Voters’ Day, while ADC & ERO Kohima Lithrongla Tongpi shared her experience as ERO. During the occasion, presentation of EPICs & NVD Badges was made to several first time voters from different constituencies. A visual of the Chief Election Commission of India delivering NVD message was also displayed at the programme.
