Mokokchung: How people vote differently

Voters in many polling places when asked what they wanted in return for their vote commonly said, “Removing corruption,” but when asked, “What kind of corruption?” there was no response. In many cases, voters declined to respond.

Kichutip ward officials of NDPP candidate Metsubo Jamir with whom Mokokchung Times interacted said in unison that they expect the candidate they voted for to provide community development, youth empowerment and women empowerment.

President NDPP Kichutip Ward Unit Imtitoshi and General Secretary NDPP Kichutip Ward Unit Sashi also said that Metsubo’s performance in the previous five years has been so good that they expect it to be even better this time.

On being asked why they choose to support Metsubo Jamir and not ‘Clean Election’ campaigner Alem Jongshi, the Chief Agent to Metsubo, Panger said, “He is new, no one knows him and he is an unknown person to the 27 AC Mokokchung Town.”

Meanwhile, Mayangnok, President NDPP Kichutip Ward Unit Youth Wing stated that Metsubo supports ‘Clean Election’ and will bring a lot of development and job opportunities.

On the contrary, a voter from Salangtem ward who only wished to be named Jamir said that he voted for Alem Jongshi because he believes the INC candidate offers “hope for change.”

Aside from party workers and supporters, neutral voters such as Limaonen Imchen stated that he voted because he did not want to regret later for not voting if governance did not go as planned.

“Second, I don’t want someone else to take away my vote,” he explained.

Young women in Aongza ward expressed hope that, in addition to improved roads, water supply, and infrastructure, all unfinished projects would be completed.
However, older women struggled to respond, stating, “What can I say to that?”

The same response was the common refrain in the Yimyu ward, which is part of 28 Koridang AC.

Most women avoided answering the question of what they are expecting from the vote they cast.

“In such cases, we have nothing to say. We will give it to anyone,” most women voters responded the same in all three polling stations Mokokchung Times visited in Yimyu.

Beyond the words “development and infrastructure,” the first-time voters in various constituencies had nothing else to ask.