An Appreciation To The Church For Clean Election Movement

We sincerely appreciate the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) and all the churches of Nagaland for their renewed commitment to the Clean Election Movement (CEM).

For 50 years, since 1975, the Church has been the only consistent voice calling vote-selling a sin. This is a faithful witness.

But as Rev. Dr. Mar Pongener himself admitted, “change has not come on the scale expected.” Why? Because formal meetings, seminars and resolutions in Platinum Halls will not work for Nagas anymore. If the Church really means it, it must change its direction and take tough, extreme measures.

1. Stop Blank Firing

The people who attend clean election meetings, seminars and Sunday awareness programmes are not the problem. They already follow clean election. The real problem is outside the hall and the Church. Are we just preaching to the converted? The Church must audit its audience.

2. Identify Who Breaks Guidelines Village/Colony-Wise

In every village, colony and khel, we know who sells votes, who does proxy, who takes money and who demands alcohol. Church leaders know them by name. Instead of general sermons from the pulpit, reach them pastorally, family-wise, in a spiritual way. Correct them in love, not just in announcements.

3. Target The Grassroots Party Workers

The real carriers of money, liquor and intimidation are not the candidates themselves, but their grassroots agents – our own church members, youth leaders, and even deacons. They should be the primary target, with a faith-based approach, not through formal gatherings.

4. EXTREME STEP 1 – Let Candidates Swear On The Holy Bible In The Pulpit

The American President takes oath on the Bible. Why can’t a Naga candidate in a Christian-majority state declare before the Church altar that he will abide by the Holy Bible and Clean Election guidelines? Will the Church dare to call all candidates to the pulpit and make them swear on the Bible that they will not buy votes and will not use muscle power? Or will the Church say, “This is extreme”?

5. EXTREME STEP 2 – Make Every Grassroots Worker Sign A Covenant

Identify all active party workers in every village and colony. Call them – not for a meeting, but for a covenant. Make every single one sign a written pledge before God and the Church that they will abide by Clean Election guidelines and the Holy Bible – no distribution of money, liquor, no proxy, no intimidation. Will CEM leaders do that? Or will they say, “This is a very difficult task, people will not cooperate”? If the people who claim to be Christians will not cooperate with the Church, then who will?

6. EXTREME STEP 3 – Bible Camp / Revival For Anti-Clean Election Activists

Conduct spiritual awakening programmes – not for good people, but specially for people who are active in anti-clean election activities. Organise Bible Camps and Revival programmes on the verge of elections in all villages and towns, exclusively for vote-sellers, money distributors and proxy gangs. First touch them spiritually, and when their heart is softened, then teach them about clean election – that will work. Or will the Church say, “It will require a lot of resources and time”? Then what is easier – spending money on a revival or losing our future for five years?

7. EXTREME STEP 4 – Congregation-Wide Declaration And Pledge

This is the most important. Every Sunday, before election, let the entire congregation stand up and make a declaration and pledge together. Let every member raise their hand before God and declare: “I will not sell my vote, I will not buy votes, I will not do proxy, I will not take money or liquor, I will vote according to my conscience and fear of God.” Let the Church keep a register and make every baptized member sign that pledge. If the Church can make members pledge for no alcohol and no tobacco, why not for clean election? Will the Church do that? If the whole congregation pledges, then the grassroots workers will have no market.

Final Word

Let us be honest – Naga nature is such that unless it is extreme, we don’t care for formal appeals and gentle movements.

A polite request from the stage will not stop a man who is ready to sell his vote for Rs. 2,000 at midnight. Gentle seminars and formal launching with welcome address, special song and vote of thanks look good in photos, but they do not change the heart of a vote seller.

If the Church truly wants a culture of clean elections, as Villo Naleo said, it must go from Platinum Hall to the paddy field, from formal programmes to revival grounds, from preaching to covenant signing.

Otherwise, clean election will remain a slogan during election season, not a way of life.

Vehüno Thongrü,

BA 7th Semester, St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Jakhama

(The views expressed are those of the writer and not of the newspaper)