Our Correspondent
Kohima, Jan. 24 (EMN): The need for youth from Nagaland to bring about change in the society by exercising their voting rights was raised when Eastern Mirror spoke to a few people on the occasion of National Voters' Day.
The National Voters' Day is observed on January 25 to encourage young voters to take part in the political process and “to facilitate active participation of voters during the elections and to make the complete process hassle free and a memorable experience for all categories of voters”. This year’s theme is ‘making elections inclusive, accessible and participative'.
Vezito Tetseo, a resident of Kohima, observed that "many Naga youngsters assume that politics and voting affairs should be determined by their parents or uncles and aunties. But this fashion of putting their future in the hands of senior citizens should be stopped".
He said that young people “should come out from their comfort zone to determine their responsibility of exercising their right to vote to have a bright future".
Voting, he said, is "a highly effective medium to have the change that we want in the government". Educated youth should take the lead, he added.
"There has been a great hue and cry among the youth and public about corruption, nepotism, unemployment etc. However, change will not come overnight by bandh, protest, or criticism on social media against the wrong system or government but simply by exercising one's vote," Tetseo observed.
Regarding trading of votes, he said that clean election campaign should not only be in words but should reflect in deeds.
‘It is a sorry state of affairs when the elected government turns a deaf ear to the problems and needs of the people,’ said while adding that "it is the duty of every individual in taking the ownership of clean election movement as free and fair elections is the only foundation of every healthy democratic society, ensuring that government authority derives from the will of the people".
On a brighter side, Ashe Kiba, Nagaland State SVEEP PWD icon, said that a "vast improvement" has been seen in the recent years when it comes exercising the right to vote among the young eligible PWD voters. This was due to the proactive initiative and awareness created by the last State SVEEP Icon and the Chief Electoral Officer, she added.
While assuring to continue to work and strengthen all the progressive steps, the SVEEP icon said that much needs to be done.
"It is important to exercise one's vote because our vote is our voice and every vote counts. The secret ballot is the cornerstone of democracy and the right to vote is universal. We should make our voice heard by voting wisely," she said.
Kiba also has a message to people who trade votes.
"People should think twice before selling their votes because our vote is our voice,” she said. And to politicians who buy votes, she said: "A role of a true leader starts from here; one single genuine vote that a person votes you to become their leader. Stop buying votes or stop offering money for the vote,"
It may be mentioned that to mark the 12th National Voters' Day, office of the Chief Electoral Officer Nagaland is organising a virtual event, wherein elector photo identity card (EPIC) will be given to the first time voters.