In the Interests of All Let There Be Free and Fair Election
- Imphal, 4th April 2024 : Interfaith forum for Peace and Harmony, Manipur (IFPH) -
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We, as a group of religious leaders belonging to Hindu, Christian, Islam, Buddhist, Jains and Tingkao Ragwang representing Interfaith Forum for Peace and Harmony in Manipur, humbly appeal to all concerns; the state Government, election commission and officials, security forces, responsible citizens and candidates and their parties to promote the right environment ensuring free and fair election 2024 to the 18th Lok Sabha.
We wish and pray together that this time responsible voters will be able to choose the right candidates from the inner and outer Manipur constituencies to represent present problems of Manipur, to end the eleven-month long communal violence, and the sufferings of thousands of women, children, elderly and youth people in the hundreds of relief camps and facilitate resettlement and reconstruction processes for restoration of peace, security and development in the lives of the people and the state.
This election is being held in an extraordinary circumstance – amidst the wars and violence of ethnic kind in Manipur. Hence, the election is about who can ensure end of the violence and ensue peace processes at governmental and people’s levels. The situation looks for the right leaders who would stand above personal interests and devote all his/her energies and resources to end the suffering people and bring peace to them.
We, therefore, appeal all concerns to avoid the following electioneering practices which have had debilitating impacts on development of democratic society to allow voters’ right to make well-informed decision to choose the right candidate to represent the people of Manipur at the national Parliament at such time when the people and state are facing a crisis.
1. Stop using violence, engage in healthy dialogue and debate to educate the people
2. Stop voting for money, choose the right leaders who can end violence and peoples’ sufferings
3. Stop giving money for vote. prove your capacities to be able to solve Manipur’s problems
4. Stop using religion for vote keep it as personal treasure to seek blessings for public good
5. Stop throwing feasts for vote, remember thousands in relief camps who do not have good food
6. Stop proxy voting, give every voter an opportunity to exercise their rights as responsible citizens
Deben Bachaspatimayum
Convenor
Interfaith forum for Peace and Harmony, Manipur (IFPH)
* This info was provided to e-pao.net by Deben Bachaspatimayum who can be contacted at deben(DOT)ghy(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was posted on 06 April 2024 .
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