NLSF launches ‘fair election’ campaign

Leading the way towards ensuring clean and fair elections in the state, the Nagaland Law Students’ Federation (NLSF) launched ‘fair election’ campaign on February 2 in the state capital, Kohima.
According to NLSF, the campaign was officially launched by president, Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) and convenor  of ACAUT Nagaland(legal cell), Kezhokhoto Savi.
Savi in his speech lauded the ‘timely mission’ of NLSF themed – “One man one Vote” saying conduct of fair election would promote the society and that every eligible citizen has the right to vote- ‘Birth Right’.
He opined it was time every citizen realise that one’s vote decides the fate of five years and beyond. Equally important, he maintained, was to vote for the right candidate.
Savi asserted that society need a people friendly legislator who can walk the talk especially in the fight against corruption.
He also accused the state government of being reluctant in setting up Lokayukta in the state, which, once established, could be a deterrent to corrupt practices. On the prevailing state political scenario, Savi lamented the divisive politics, leadership crisis and selfishness of the present legislators. The speaker also came down heavily against backdoor appointments, nepotism, delayed payment of salary for several months, favouritism, corruption, wrong diversion of public funds meant for development, etc.
In his concluding remark, Savi urged upon the gathering to bring a corrupt-free government through clean elections and the best opportunity to do that, he said, would be the forth coming state general assembly election.
NLSF president, Imliben Lemtur said NLSF would conduct awareness campaigns for the conduct of ‘fair election’ starting from the grassroot- villages- in collaboration with village councils.
Lemtur observed that election, especially the state general assembly election, was the root cause of corruption as candidates spent large sums for buying or selling votes, intimidation etc. Supply of liquor, church leaders’ involvement in campaign, booth capturing, proxy voting, government employees involves in campaign with government vehicles and community not allowing the citizens/voters to vote freely/fairly were some of the issues that need to be addressed, Lemtur stated. It may be mentioned that following the steps of NBCC, clean election campaigns have been launched in various parts of the state.