Another election is in the process and though there are oppositions from the tribal organisations and landowners, many of the urban areas in the state are set to conduct the elections. The ensuing standoff of the tribal organisations and landowners combined with the government resulted in the delay of the poll process with many withdrawing their candidature. With hardly two weeks left for the polling date, the campaign process has started to kick off in some areas in the state. Though uncertainty is running rife in the minds of the people in many of the towns, the government’s stand is clear that it will go ahead with the elections.
However, in spite of the earlier clarion call from the church for clean elections in the state there is neither any activity nor statement from the church with regard to the conduct of clean elections in the forthcoming ULB elections. The election to the Urban Local Bodies may not be as large and widespread as the state elections but the same dynamics are played out in a smaller scale. In the urban areas most of the time, the same polling stations used during the state elections are used for the ward elections to which the same people come to vote. It is the perfect place to practice for future state or parliamentary elections, be it the positive or the negative aspects. In the same way, it is also an advantage for the organisations and church bodies that are working for cleaner electoral process in the state. This opportunity of working in a smaller scale can help these organisations to come up with best practices and assist its strategies for other bigger elections in the future.
The NBCC youth department had recommenced the Clean Election Campaign from the middle of 2016 in colleges around the state. Along with awareness on the negatives of wrong poll practices it was reported that signing of pledge cards was also initiated. If the same could be initiated in the urban areas where the NBCC has it associated churches, it will surely be fruitful. Such campaigns against social evils and corrupted systems take time to see noticeable positive changes, but it hardly fails. The only determinant being that the advocates, whether individuals or organisations, should command the respect of the masses. The campaign is very relevant even for the ULB elections and awareness campaigns at least in the new media will bring positive results.
