Seminar on clean and fair election held
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati, February 10 2022:
With state assembly elections round the corner, Poumai Theological Association (PTA) organised a seminar on clean and fair election under the topic 'Church response to clean and fair election' at Tungjoy Baptist Church on Thursday.
Attending as one the resource persons, Rev Vikuo Rhi of Nagaland Baptist Church Council youth department recalled the initial history of clean election campaign in Nagaland way back in 2011 and said that many people asked as to why church should involve in election campaign and they should rather mind their own spiritual affairs.
However, church has role to bring clean and fair election as it cannot feign ignorance or shy away from issues facing contemporary society, he observed.
Nevertheless, church has no other interests or any hidden agenda to support or work against any political party.
The sole purpose of clean and fair election campaign is to tell, fight for and stand for the truth and to bring about a positive change in society, he added.
He also highlighted many malpractices resorted to during election time like bribery, selling and buying of voters, age tampering, opening of camps which become breeding ground for all kinds of malpractices and evil things, use of arms to threaten voters, proxy voting and booth capturing, non-maintenance of secrecy in voting, multiple entries in electoral rolls, community decision to vote for any particular candidate, prayer groups and church workers visiting candidate's house for monetary benefits.
Poumai Theological Association president Havei William stated that the seminar was organised to make the electors aware about clean and fair election.
He encouraged the gathering to cast one vote for one person and let the elector concerned to decide whom to vote.
The seminar was attended by around 160 members including pastors, deacons, youth and women leaders, church workers, Poumai Theological Association members and others.
PTA president informed that the association would appeal to Poumai Churches under Poumai Naga Baptist Association to set aside a special Sunday to preach on clean and fair election in worship services before the state general election.