KOHIMA — Rev. Dr. Fr. Francis (Yimso) Cheerangal, the principal of St. Xavier College, Jalukie, said that there is a need for moral consciousness, along with guidance from churches, educational institutions, and others, in disseminating accurate information to the public to help voters in Nagaland make informed decisions on election day.
He made this statement during an interaction with Eastern Mirror on Wednesday, ahead of the Lok Sabha election scheduled for Friday.
He observed that people here are not very serious about the election because they are unable to think collectively and envision the future. When asked how the electorate can hold elected members accountable for their promises and actions, he stressed the need for more forums and platforms where there can be greater interaction with elected members.
The priest noted that presently, elected members are primarily seen in ceremonial roles at functions as chief guests. However, he said that they must engage with these leaders in more serious discussions and intellectual activities.
When asked about the importance of voting, Cheerangal expressed concern about people's perceptions, pointing out that some still believe the election is insignificant because Nagaland only has one seat.
He cited a lack of post-election connections between people and MPs as a factor reducing enthusiasm for voting. However, he emphasised the importance of increased participation, particularly among young people and students of voting age.
To promote this, he held a session on the importance of voting for his students during the day and declared a holiday on Thursday to allow students to return to their villages to vote on Friday.