Never stop praying for the peaceful election in Manipur
(1 Thessalonians 5:17-NLT)

Pastor Letlal Haokip *

The first phase of the Election which was scheduled to be held on Sunday (February 27, 2022) has disturbed many Christians, especially those who are from Manipur. Many have thought this to be the role played by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who are ruling both at the Centre and state government in collusion with the Election Commission of India.

It may be true or may not be true. But definitely, it hurt the sentiments of the Christian population of Manipur.

The general election which was supposed to be held in two-phase: February 27 (Sunday), 2022, and March 3, 2022, has been rescheduled to February 28 (Monday) and March 5, 2022 (Saturday) due to the appeal by different Christian organizations like All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) and Christian Goodwill Council(CGC, Churachandpur) and many other organizations and students organizations like All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) who appealed to the Election Commission of India.

When the Election commission of India, under the leadership of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sushil Chandra and his team arrived in Manipur for two days visit (February 7 & 8, 2022), All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) under the leadership of Rev. Prim Vaiphei had once again asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to reschedule the first phase of assembly polls date from February 27, 2022 (Sunday) to some other days.

The main reason is that majority of the tribals of Manipur are Christians and Sunday is a very important and holy day for them. On Sunday they all refresh themselves physically, mentally and spiritually by going to the Church. Holding elections on Sunday is unthinkable for the Christian brothers and sisters. That is why AMCO took up the case to the Election commission of India.

As a Christian and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible clearly says “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven…” ( 2 Chronicles 7:14). Even in Proverbs 16:3, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”

What we learned from the above Bible is, as Christians if we humble and commit to the Lord our plan and purpose by trusting in God, He will never leave us nor forsake us. Indeed God keeps His promise by answering our humble prayer by changing the mind of ECI leaders by rescheduling on February 28, 2022 (Monday).

The Bible in Proverbs 21:1 clearly says, “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” The Chief Election Commissioner's heart has been turned toward us by the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us continue to rejoice, but let us also never stop praying for a “free and fair election.”

From this incident, we know that if we trust God and unite and stand as a team even though we are a minority in terms of our population we can overcome any problem because our God is El Shaddai, the Almighty God. As Christians, we believe that the Spirit of God indwells us and so we are to be united for a right and good cause. But it should be centred on pleasing our Father in heaven.

The Bible instructs us to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We are to keep peace in our beautiful state of Manipur which is also known as “ Land of Gold/ Sana leibak.”

As Christians, we have to be a channel of blessing to our brothers and sisters who are not followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. My humble appeal to each one of us is to continue shining for our Lord Jesus Christ on the voting day by casting our own vote and not indulging in any kinds of illegal activities like buying a vote, casting vote on behalf of someone who is not present (proxy) and fighting amongst ourselves.

As we all joined our hands and prayed for the date to be changed to any other day and God answered our prayers, let us continue to pray for a peaceful election and also strive to maintain a peaceful and honest election.