Dimapur, May 28 (EMN): The election monitor of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) itself has lamented that the electioneering process of the once-glorified Naga students’ organisation had now been corrupted by vested interest and pursuit for personal gain by individuals.
The election commission of the NSF (2015-2017) issued a press release on Sunday stating that the sole motive of many individuals is to “use the NSF as a platform to further their own interest, rather than that of the common good.”
The press release contained information about code of conduct for the NSF’s elections for information to all intending candidates and federating unit ‘for strengthening the federation and smooth conduct of the election.’
“In the past, the election of the Naga Students' Federation was characterized by a deep respect for the integrity of the process,” the press release stated. ‘An individual’s dynamism, character, vision and leadership qualities were the deciding essentials required for leading the Naga Students’ Federation.’
Unfortunately over the years and due to the increasing influence of the present electoral and political practices, the election commission lamented, “such ideals and respect for the integrity of the NSF election process has been usurped by personal gains by individuals.”
“It seems evident that the sole motive of many individuals is to use the NSF as a platform to further their own interest, rather than that of the common good.”
This affected the quality and true spirit of leadership in the NSF and brought into question the organisation’s integrity, the trust of the public in it and the image of the federation itself.
“For many of the leaders it seems no longer about serving the student community and upholding the principles of the Naga Students’ Federation. Recognizing this disturbing trend within the NSF, there is a need for an immediate intervention,” the panel stated.
The commission stated that it will put in place a ‘mechanism to monitor the process.’ The election commission ‘should be empowered to nullify intending candidates or the units found violating the Election Code of Conduct,’ it stated.
Exercising a resolution for smooth conduct of said election, the press release stated, the election commission of the NSF has appointed a number of persons to monitor the election code of conduct. The members are Vipopal Kintso, former president of the NSF as chairman; Rs. Jollyson, former speaker of the NSF as member-secretary; and Kenneth, as member.
According to the statement, the following actions will not be allowed “in deeds or by words”: ‘muscle power,’ ‘monetary power,’ ‘coercion from within and without’; influence from any political party, organisation or agencies; any action that is detrimental to “Article twenty seven of the constitution.”
The code of conduct stated in the panel’s notification are to be strictly followed by all intending candidates and units; failing to do so shall invite disqualification and stringent action against the candidates and the units, the press release added.
The statement was appended by chairman of the commission, G Vashum; and members Neizokhotuo Belho and Jungithung Yanthan.
