With Lok Sabha election in Nagaland just days away, the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM) has urged citizens to exercise their fundamental right to vote without losing credibility and without infringing on the secular fabric of the nation.
ABAM president Rev Dr L Lima Jamir and executive secretary Rev Dr Mar Pongener in a statement maintained that one of the primary roles in any egalitarian society was fulfilled by the voters since regular and periodic elections were one of the features of a democratic polity.
ABAM maintained that democracy can only be achieved when there is free, fair, and ethical participation of each citizen. Therefore, ABAM said it was crucial for every responsible citizen to maximize their right to vote and assist one another in conscientizing the entire electoral process for qualitative participation. Informed participation has the potential to lead the country towards a peaceful transformative journey, as people experience inclusion, empowerment, and translate their vision into reality, ABAM stated.
ABAM reminded all that the right to vote by eligible citizens was not only a fundamental feature of every democratic system but also a legal right granted to each citizen.
Referring to Article 325 of the Constitution of India under Part XV (Elections), ABAM pointed out that no person would be ineligible for inclusion in, or to claim to be included in a special electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste, or sex. It said Article 326 stipulates that elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of states are to be based on adult suffrage.
ABAM stated that the right to vote guarantees an equal status to all citizens, making voting integral to democracy. They urged reflection on whose interests voters should consider when casting a vote—whether community or individual interests— and questioned the ethical justifiability of trading votes (selling and buying votes). “By voting, we fulfill the duty of responsible citizens to collectively drive our nation in a morally better direction,” ABAM emphasized.
If voting was the primary means to influence the quality of government, ABAM asserted that people had every right to engage in thoughtful reflection on matters of public concern. It stressed that the right to vote was not just a privilege but also a civic duty and a moral obligation, among many other responsibilities, that could ultimately change the quality, scope, and nature of government.
ABAM said that the choice to vote could significantly impact the destiny of the government, either for the better or for the worse, ultimately affecting the lives of the people. The Arogo cautioned that making the wrong choice at the polls could result in the loss or failure of economic opportunities. Therefore, ABAM stressed that every citizen had a civic duty to vote and to vote wisely, based on sound judgment that promoted the common good. ABAM underscored that the reasons for voting should be morally and epistemically justified.
As voting was a tangible exercise wherepeople participated to promote a just and growing society, it mentioned that with greater participation, there was greater achievement in public life.
ABAM said voting as political participation was a way of influencing Christians and people of other faiths alikethat they too were committed to a vision of good life.
“We care about their well-being not only about life hereafter but here and now. Our decision in politics should contribute to a free society in which people can worship and evangelize, provide food for the destitute and hungry and clothing to the naked, schools for learning and justice and equality for all,” ABAM elaborated.
Emphasizing that the action taken in the voting booth should pave the way for experiencing a just world in reality, ABAM pointed out that when the ideals of the democratic election process were abused, the consequences could be devastating. ABAM stressed that if people, as Christians, wanted to see good public policies reflecting biblical values, they should elect principled leaders. Therefore, in order to see upright leaders elected, Christians must make their voices heard by voting.
As voters could shape the future of the nation, they said casting one’s vote was an incredibly powerful way to make public voice heard and take a stand for righteousness.
“It is not only one of our great Indian rights but it is also our responsibility as Christians. Voting is part of our stewardship to use all the resources we have been given in ways that honour God; to waste a vote is to squander a gift,” they cautioned.
According to ABAM, the civic practice of voting must judge what needs to be promoted or preserved, as the elected representatives, respected and empowered by the people, dedicate themselves fully to governance. As Christians, it hey emphasized the execution of one of the most solemn duties in human society, accountable to both God and the country. As responsible citizens of India, ABAM appealed for guiding the nation towards responsible action, which they saw as both a moral and spiritual investment.
The Arogo also urged individuals to stay informed and remain aware of the vices and issues of the day, while advocating for boldness, forthrightness, constructiveness, and innovation. As citizens of India with unwavering faith in democracy, ABAM assured that it would persist in encouraging every citizen to uphold the democratic traditions of the country.