Time and again Elections in Nagaland have portrayed the all-round degradation of our personal and societal values, be it MP, Legislative, or ULB elections. What is called the festival of democracy has been misused as one of the worst forms of corruption, where the candidates are compelled to fritter away their resources, to wine, dine, and entertain voters for any kind of inducement. Their prostituted votes produce a democracy dirtied at birth which none can respect, least of all those who win the elections. Foreseeably, in the last Nagaland Legislative Assembly elections 2023, money was the deciding factor in many constituencies across Nagaland.
However, the 18th Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in Nagaland was different from what we usually see in comparison with the other elections. There was less use of money, no reports of violence, and other related vices usually implemented during election times. As the ULB elections 2024 have been scheduled for 26th June, there has been a lot of campaigning similar to or grander than the State Assembly election campaigns.
This brings us back to the fact that the election process is one of the most easily abused instruments of political governance and management of society. It is enslaving, enticing, and deceitfully entertaining us to the depths of hedonistic ways. We are like leeches who come out to suck till we are full and roll away thereafter to our holes to hibernate unproductively till the next season of elections. The leech is a headless creature, but they are driven by one single instinct and that is to suck blood till bursting point. This Vicious cycle of blood-sucking and hibernating metaphor can be rightly implemented in the election expenditures for feasting, buying votes, and other forms of entertainment. Once we enter into this kind of relationship, we are not spared from the next stages of the corrupting process, its effects, and the callous ending. The candidates feel justified to recoup the money they have spent on our luscious feasts. The promises they have made will have to be of secondary importance since they have to prepare for the next election.
If only we could act upon our conscience and vote for the most reasonable candidate, without any inducement or favour, then we would see change that builds dignity, is sustainable, and suitable. Any vote that is voted with a clear conscience and without any malice becomes the most valuable vote for any individual.
This time around, the mottos and visions of the ULB candidates are surely promising, but that is easier said than done. However, we call upon each ward member to make the candidates work and fulfil what they have promised. We must overcome the habit of accepting lip service only and not asking questions. It is also disturbing that ULB elections have become more partisan politics rather than community oriented. It is irresponsible. The ball is in our court; will you and I make the difference by disengaging in any form of election indulgence, election feast, or accept any form of bribe? We must rise above “myths and shallow truths” that are adopted in manifestos during this season. We must slam our doors in the face of people who come door to door campaigning with slogans and sugar-coated speeches to devour our dignity.
To all the candidates of ULB, do not give us myths and shallow truths, but make a name for yourself by daring to be different and lay the foundation for the steady rise of a true statesman or stateswoman that the people will see and will give them hope. Such a leader is marked with humility, truthfulness, and selflessness.
Astronomers tell us about terrible BLACK HOLES in outer space that swallow up everything within their immense ranges, including even light. We can say elections in Nagaland are like Black Holes. They swallow up everything within their ranges – the light of shame, grace, and being responsible and caring for immediate and long-term consequences for our children. Let us not allow the formation of socio-political-economic-moral black holes in our very young society by resolutely taking a stand; saying NO to money-power and YES to free and fair elections. The temptations of elections are seemingly irresistible, relentless, and invincible, but we can overcome them by our personal commitment to truth and dignity. And when this personal commitment is maintained unwaveringly, it transforms into social cohesion and social integrity transcending above personal, tribal, and all sorts of isms. Let us vote for continual improvement, vote for change that is pro-life and growth, and affordable and democratic in nature.
Issued by:
Clean Election Movement (NBCC),
Nagaland