Church leaders sensitised on making right choice
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 22, 2012:
To sensitise Church leaders and village elders on electing right candidates who would work for the welfare of the people in the upcoming elections to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly, a day-long consultation programme was held at South Tangkhul Naga Baptist Association (STNBA) Centre, Irong under Senapati district today.
Organised under the aegis of All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO), it was the 15th consultation programme organized by AMCO in different parts of the state in the run up to the state Assembly elections.
Addressing the gathering, President of AMCO Rev S Prim Vaiphei observed that every section of the society is today decrying the corrupt practices of politicians and government officials.
But it would be wrong to blame the politicians alone.
If the people have been wise enough in electing their representatives, they would not have suffered the impact of corruption.
The failure of electing the right representatives over the years, in a way indicates that the people too have been endorsing corruption in the society.
Rev Vaiphei pointed out that voters in the hills have been indulging in various malpractices in election which their brethren in the valley would not even dare to think about.
In the hills, there is the trend of electorates casting votes over and over again even against the names of the electorates who have passed away long ago.
In the light of such malpractices, how can one think of producing able representatives?, he questioned, and called upon the electorates in the hills to stop proxy voting, booth capturing, etc and elect right candidates of their choice without being forced from any quarters if they want good governance.
Explaining that AMCO has been organising a series of similar consultation programmes/seminars to sensitise the people in different parts of hill districts like Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel, Churachandpur and Senapati, Rev Vaiphei informed that today's consultation programme is going to the 15th and the last such sensitization campaign.
He also expressed confidence that electorates in the hills would exercise their electoral rights judiciously and elect the right candidates who would work for the welfare of Manipur and its people.
In today's consultation programme, Dr Levan Serto spoke on the topic of 'election and Christians/contemporary issues as resource person.
Around 80 Church leaders and village elders from Irong and its surrounding area including Lungthur, K Somrei, Heinganglok, Komlaching, T Khullen, Satakhunbi, Shangpunra villages participated in the programme presided over by Chairman of Irong Village Ramyo.