Election related violence is not new in Nagaland and it is even more common in Mokokchung, a feat that is not enviable at all. There are many reasons or causes for electoral violence and if we look back at the past incidents of election related violence, it usually happens in closely contested polling areas. The nature of electoral violence that happens in the villages and the town is also quite different albeit both being violent. Further, some constituencies are more prone to violence than others although it does not necessarily mean that violence can be totally ruled in those areas where it has not happened before. In Mokokchung, election related violence happens mostly ahead of the polling day. In fact, we know that it has already happened in some areas already this year too. As such, pre-poll violence must be curbed or better still, adequate preemptive measures must be taken to deter any such violence. Post-poll violence and violence on the polling day are also more likely to happen where pre-poll violence had happened. As such, pre-poll violence must be prevented at all costs in order to ensure not just free and fair elections but also to prevent long-term impacts electoral violence has on the parties involved and the society at large.
Victims of election related violence tend to seek ‘revenge’ on those who perpetrated it in the next election and so the cycle of violence continues. It is unfortunate that victims seldom take succor in the rule of law but normally wait for ‘revenge’. Although there has been no loss of lives reported in electoral violence in recent times in Mokokchung, it is a known fact that supporters of various parties and candidates resort to using lethal weapons including firearms inflicting grievous injuries to each other, where some sustain injuries that maim their lives.
While it is important to educate the masses about the stupidity of resorting to election related violence and the long-term negative impacts it leaves, it is more important to take adequate measures to control them at the instance. As per news, the Chief Election Officer of Nagaland has claimed that the state is fully prepared for the election. Such poll preparedness must include measures to control violence. However, over the years, violence has happened in every election and, therefore, there is reason to believe that it would happen again. As such, preventive and deterrent measures must be executed immediately.
Primary prevention of election related violence must take place BEFORE violence initially occurs. It could involve strategies designed to reduce the factors that put people at risk for experiencing violence. Or, it could also include strategies that encourage the factors that protect or buffer people from violence. Intensive supervision is another way to initiate preemptive measures to control violence. The law enforcing agencies are competent enough to strategize on it. Concerned citizens must also play their role to prevent violence. The violence that is happening this time is largely because it happened the last time and if violence were to happen this time, it is guaranteed to happen in the next election too. The best chance we have at stopping electoral violence is to break the chain of violence – here and now. If violence can be prevented this time, chances of it recurring in the next election are minimal.