Ruling NPF and opposition Congress have welcomed the NBCC’s “Clean Election Campaign”, an effort, the parties termed as “a ray of hope for the people of the State”, which would obliterate the myriad of controversies that have surrounded the elections held in Nagaland after it attained statehood.
Taking part in DD Northeast “Trends of Nagaland” program Saturday, NPF central spokesman Shilumar and NPCC media cell chairman Dr.K.Hoshi, while appreciating the initiative by NBCC, said if successful, the state would not only remove the scar left behind post-elections in the past but would credit the Church for being the first in the country to initiate for free, fair and clean elections.
NPF spokesman said there had been an instance in the past when a candidate spent just a hundred rupees to win elections. He, however, said times have changed and that there was a need to instill in the minds of the voters on the concept of exercising their franchise.
Dr. K. Hoshi said Congress party had responded to the call even before the NBCC had launched its campaign.
“The first step towards clean elections is to have clean electoral roll and we have initiated the process for clean electoral roll by demanding the deletion of all multiple entries, duplication of photos, underage enrollment,” he asserted.
“We want one man-one vote to be implemented in letter and spirit,” the Congress leader said. Replying to a query on who was to be blamed for use of money and muscle power during elections, Dr.Hoshi viewed the blame game was “reciprocal- the political leaders and the voters are to be blamed equally”.
NBCC’s Clean Election Campaign convener Dr. Hovithal said NBCC has been praying and issuing statements and press releases in the past.
However, he said realising that there was an urgent need to engage the worldly powers with the spiritual power, NBCC set up a Working Committee on Clean Election in 2011 with 9 members. He said the Church had no other interests or any hidden agenda to support or stand against any political party but NBCC’s sole purpose was to tell the truth, to fight for the truth, to stand for the truth and to bring about a positive change in the society.
Also, taking part in the discussion were Dr. Sothu, Pastor Mongzueng, member Clean Election Campaign. The audience, who took part in Saturday’s discussion programme, were from Kohima Science College and some members of the social networking site ‘The Naga Blog.”
The show was hosted by K.V.Nurumi, senior journalist and TV presenter and a repeat telecast of the programme will be shown on DDK Kohima Sunday at 6 p.m.