Election season in Nagaland means bribe season, with politicians of all stripes offering a wide variety of gifts in exchange for votes. In the run-up to elections in Nagaland, efforts to purchase votes with cash and other inducements are a common practice.

 

Electoral politics in Nagaland is reduced to a mere cash-rich business where the richer political parties and candidates influence the outcome of an election by lavishing cash on the voters. Cash bribes to voters are also widely believed to sway the votes of the poorer and more vulnerable section of the electorate. In Mokokchung, there are reports of candidates and their agents distributing cash to induce voters.

 

There are many forms of electoral malpractices prevalent in Mokokchung, like village ‘consensus’ candidates, booth capturing, voter suppression, ballot rigging, violence , and cash for votes. Mokokchung Times with a guarantee of anonymity interacted with voters from different constituencies in Mokokchung and acquired their responses regarding their take on “cash for vote” which revealed the sorry state of affairs.

 

“I would most certainly take because even if I don’t take, someone else will take it anyway,” a voter said when asked if she would consider accepting cash in exchange for her vote.

 

“I’m aiming to take from all three candidates because it’s the money they’ve amassed from corruption itself,” said a first-time voter, adding, “My goal is to buy a cell phone during this election.”
An older voter also said, “I am waiting for candidates to bring blankets and essential commodities like last election.”

 

“I will most likely wait and observe till the eleventh hour and give my vote to the candidate that pays the most cash,” a more ‘experienced’ voter said.

 

“I have already received Rs 10,000 for my family but if the other candidates are willing to give then I’ll definitely accept because I have a family to look after,” said a daily wage earner.

 

“For me, the answer is a resounding yes. I wish I could say no, but it is not feasible in today’s Naga society. There is no difference whether there is only one candidate or several candidates. We don’t have much of a choice. Every election, the same crooked, old veterans appear, whether in the same old party or a new one. With the present slate of candidates for the forthcoming elections, I’ve almost given up hope. My hopes are based on emptiness. The same old corrupt faces, just in different parties. And, whether we like it or not, the same old fellas will return to power, repeating the same old story: corruption, backdoor appointments, zero development, zero employment, deficit state, etc. As a result, I would rather suffer for another five years after having at least earned my vote’s worth of money than suffer for another five years after having stupidly but honestly voted for the so-called deserving candidate and yet witnessing the same old people come to power,” a frustrated voter confided.

 

Another voter stated that he would accept the ‘envelope’ from any candidate offering it to him but would nonetheless vote for the candidate of his choice on polling day.

 

However, some concerned citizens stated that they would refrain from taking bribes. “I will vote for the candidate who declares the best intentions for the public,” said one, while another added, “Clean Election starts from the grassroots, thus I will not succumb to such ill practices. I will give my vote in NOTA since there is no candidate in my constituency that I feel is capable.”

 

“The legitimacy of an election is about selecting the appropriate leader rather than selling our dignity and integrity. In this day and age, cash has become a political necessity. It has become ingrained in our culture, either deliberately or unconsciously, and is the result of societal expectations. It is a threat to our Naga society. This type of threat system must be stopped! It is up to us, the citizens, to choose the appropriate leader who can bring about revolutionary change rather than corruption. ‘Say No To Cash For Vote’ is my slogan, and NOTA has been given to voters. I would take that option since I don’t see any suitable candidates who are willing to work for the improvement of society.”

 

(This is the first of a three-part series)

 

Mokokchung Times

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