Mokokchung, February 7 (MTNews): Ao Baptist Pastors Fellowship in collaboration with District Administration and District Election Officer, Mokokchung conducted a Clean Election Prayer Rally which commenced from Imkongmeren Sports Complex and culminated at Police Point Mokokchung on Tuesday.
Flagging off the rally, Shashank Pratap Singh, Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung stated that everyone is aware of the term “clean election” and that its implementation starts from the voters. He hoped that all the voters are clear about what is right and wrong and added that the concept is clear and it depends on their conscience.
Singh went on to highlight the activities of the Election Commission of India’s Sveep program and stated that its aim was to promote voter awareness, promote quantitative and qualitative aspects of voting in Urban Local Bodies elections, Assembly elections and Parliamentary elections. The program is to make voters aware of their rights, responsibilities, duties, and how to make our society a better society.
“In democracy, vote is the biggest asset; universal adult franchise is the biggest asset in democracy,” he said, adding that Sveep activities are to make each and every voter aware regarding all the aspects of voting practices, clean election and ethical voting.
The DC stated that “one person one vote” is one among the most critical parts of ethical voting and informed that a person should not vote on behalf of someone else and that one should take their own decision in voting for any candidate or political party by their own freewill, adding that freewill is the crux of ethical voting.
Rev Dr Prof Mar Pongener, Executive Secretary, ABAM Impur speaking on the topic ‘Nagaland for Christ’ before the DC flagged off the rally urged the believers to detest the “idol worshiping” act of selling votes and indulging in unethical and immoral practices.
Short speeches delivered at four different locations and prayers held along the route of the rally by Rev Aowabang Ozukum, Pastor, Guwahati Ao Baptist Arogo speaking on ‘Clean Election Against Corruption’; Imnatoshi, Pastor, Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo and President, Nagaland Pastors’ Union speaking on ‘Vote for Clean Election’; Rev Dr Lima Jamir, Pastor, Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo speaking on ‘Free and Fair Election’; and Rev Sentisashi Aier, Pastor, Kohima Ao Baptist Arogo, speaking on ‘Vote Against Communalism’ while Rev L Meren KichuKichu, Pastor, Sabangya Compound Baptist Arogo and President ABPF delivered the concluding remarks.
Hundreds of pastors, full-time church workers and believers from various Ao Baptist churches participated in the rally. Prior to the rally, the ABPF also held a 3-hour prayer fellowship at MTBA on Monday evening.
Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation appreciates Clean Election Prayer Rally in Mokokchung
The Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation (NGBF) has expressed gratitude and support for the Clean Election rally held on Tuesday by the Ao Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship in collaboration with the District Administration and the District Election Officer in Mokokchung.
The federation praised the ‘wonderful initiative’ and urged that such a movement lead the society.
“We greatly appreciate Mokokchung District’s initiative. It feels like a wonderful awakening, and now is the time to demonstrate the phrase ‘clean election’ into action,” the federation told Mokokchung Times.
The federation also expressed gratitude to the Mokokchung district, calling it an inspiration to people at the grassroots level and urged all right-thinking citizens to demonstrate clean elections in action.