First-ever initiative calls out money power, “senso candidates,” violence, other electoral malpractices
Arenjungla Kichu
Mokokchung | 21 March
Rampant electoral malpractices, rising money power, and growing social pressure in elections came under sharp focus on Saturday, March 21, as Ao Senden, along with village councils under 28 Koridang Assembly Constituency, initiated its first-ever meeting on free and fair elections.
The meeting marked a significant shift, with Ao Senden directly engaging with election-related issues at the constituency level for the first time, openly calling for an end to practices such as “senso candidates,” buying of votes, use of alcohol and drugs, and election-related violence.
Speakers clarified that the initiative was not aimed at targeting Koridang alone, but rather intended as a starting point for broader reform. At the same time, they stressed that the constituency could set an example for others to follow.
“We have to be courageous and brave to do something good,” it was stated during the meeting, while urging village councils to discourage the practice of “senso candidate” and to “frame good laws” for a fairer electoral process.
Concerns were also raised over social pressure during elections, particularly the practice of ex-communication. “Ex-communication due to election… this shouldn’t be practiced,” it was stated.
Speakers also expressed hope that Koridang, being part of Ongpangkong, considered among the leading Ao ranges, would set an example.
Speaking at the program, Rev Temsu Jamir, Executive Secretary of Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang, acknowledged the deep-rooted nature of the problem, stating, “Since 1969, we began all the electoral malpractices and it is still ongoing. Compare how election was peaceful in Chakhesang area last election. We were the ones to lead the Clean Election Movement but others have done it exceptionally well.”
He further stated that “individual rights are suppressed due to a collective decision by an organization… imposed decision does not give justice.”
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Ao Senden President Marsanen Imsong said the idea of “clean election” should evolve into a “people’s clean election,” adding that the program was organized “in the hope that something good will happen.”
“Starting from Koridang AC, let us set a fine example,” he said, while also questioning the kind of leadership being offered at this juncture.
Highlighting the scale of money involved in elections, the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang Clean Election Movement (CEM) team shared a rough estimate that around ₹230 crore may have been spent in “the last election” across Ao areas. For the upcoming by-election, expenditure is expected to reach around ₹17 crore.
Despite these concerns, the team noted some progress. In 2018, out of 230 polling stations in Mokokchung district, 91 were reported to have polled freely, though not fairly. By 2023, this number increased to 131 polling stations.
However, the team observed that while participation may be improving, money influence “has not changed; instead it keeps increasing.”
Representatives from Mangmetong, Longkhum, Khensa, Mekuli, Chungtia, and Yimyu village councils attended the meeting, while Aliba and Kinunger were not represented.
A representative from Chungtia village said that both village authorities and security personnel are making efforts to ensure peaceful elections, and appealed to ABAM to support them through prayer.
The meeting reflects a growing recognition that electoral malpractices are not merely political but social in nature, with community institutions now stepping in to push for change, beginning with Koridang.
