Sangtemla Ward candidates refute claims of electoral bribery and misconduct

All three candidates respond to claims, with each denying involvement in any unlawful activities

In the lead-up to the upcoming Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) election in Ward no 11, Sangtemla Ward, allegations of electoral malpractices have surfaced, prompting an investigation by this newspaper. We conducted interviews with the three candidates to address these claims and present their perspectives to the public.

Sangtemla Ward has three candidates – Alemtuba Imsong (Independent); I Tali Longkumer (NDPP); and I Temsu Jamir (INC).

Interview with Alemtuba Imsong

MT: We have heard allegations that you have opened a youth camp and are starting to buy votes with money. How would you respond to that?
Alemtuba: If they can provide evidence of it, that is fine, but my concern is that so far, I am not using money. I have not opened any youth camp; this is my house. Right now, the only place where I spend money is on my relatives, my friends, and neighbors—during night and day, they serve tea and meals.

Out of 100% of my supporters, 60% are youths. In the evening, the youngsters come together to drink tea and play board games like carrom. Apart from that, spending money is out of the question because I don’t even have the money. If they show some evidence, that is fine, but to be honest, I don’t even have the money. It is something I can’t do and won’t do.

Of course, it is election season, so we campaign a lot. Therefore, when we return after campaigning, we cook food and drink tea, etc. Apart from that, spending money is out of the question. Maybe it is happening in other camps. I have heard about other camps providing pocket money to youths, but in my camp, we only serve tea and food. So if they hear that money is being used, it will act as a certain kind of attraction. Somehow, one or two have gone to the other camp (opposition) because I don’t use money.

Interview with NDPP Candidate I Tali Longkumer

MT: We have heard allegations that you are offering voters projects, stating that if they vote for you, you will give them a particular project, which amounts to bribery. How would you respond to that?

I Tali Longkumer: Maybe there are those who have promised such things, but for me, I have been working as a contractor, and in business, I know how to bring in developments. Winning in the Municipal election means you have to sacrifice for your ward, distribute the development package from the government within the ward, and serve the public. So, we cannot say whether the contract will come or not. Many think that through the MMC election, we will get many developmental projects that we have missed for the past 20 years, but it is not so. Yes, there are some projects we have to approach after talking with some concerned state ministers or the municipal corporation (which is in Mumbai), but whether it is possible or not, we don’t know. Up to what extent the elected MMC can venture on that, we are yet to know the process. So, without knowing, there is no point in promising I will give you this and that.

Many have told me that they have been promised this and that while seeking votes, but I believe getting supporters through propaganda is not necessary. I won’t buy votes with money to sit on a chair. I am standing here because people asked me to stand for them and asked for my service.

MT: So, you’re saying the allegations are baseless and have no truth to them?

I Tali Longkumer: Yes.

MT: What are you and your party doing to ensure that there is a “Free and Fair” election?

I Tali Longkumer:: We have decided that there will be no proxy voting and no bringing voters from outside. I am in a comfortable position, so there’s no point in practicing electoral malpractices.

MT: You are participating with an NDPP ticket. In case anyone from your party commits electoral malpractice, are there any disciplinary actions the party will take against those violators?

I Tali Longkumer:: If anything, I am just a candidate. The party will initiate the action. There is a party constitution. My supporters are not only from NDPP. We don’t have a specific party color.

MT: How about if your supporters commit those crimes?

I Tali Longkumer:: If they are doing it, that is their responsibility. It is not my lookout.

Interview with INC Candidate I Temsu Jamir

MT: We have heard allegations against you that you are bribing the voters with money. Would you like to respond to it?

Jamir: Yes, I would like to respond to it. In our ward, there are three candidates, out of which I am the last to jump into the fray. I made the decision just recently. So, for me, I am going on house-to-house visitations, and I have not yet visited all the houses even for the first round. Personally, I don’t even carry a wallet, as you can see now. They are saying I am bribing, but that is totally baseless.

One or two friends go with me, and sometimes we meet some people with deformities and some sick people. As a courtesy, maybe from their pockets, we give tokens to elderly and sick people, even to those who have vouched not to vote for me. That is not bribery. We belong to the same colony. So, we have done this in a couple of cases; otherwise, I have never practiced bribery as such.

Having said that, I don’t know how they are alleging that, but there are lots of my supporters who are going around, so maybe in their personal capacity, they might have done similarly to what I have done. However, I have given full instructions that “Cash for Vote” should not happen. Setting up an office, and mobilization is allowed if necessary, but not “Cash for Vote”. I don’t want to get involved in that. So, certainly, I hope my supporters are doing that, and that is the case so far.

I have openly disclosed that our message should be of love, so a smearing campaign should not be there, and also to respect other candidates and take whatever our opponents do positively. They may smear our name and all sometimes, but it is unavoidable. We cannot look into what each Tom, Dick, and Harry utters from our camp or other camps.

I have made public statements against electoral malpractices. I also don’t attend all my public campaign meetings. I leave it to my office to campaign—but I have told them “no smear campaign at all. Respect other opinions.

They’re also trying to give their service to the public, so we should respect that”.

MT: You’re contesting on an INC ticket. Will the party take any disciplinary action against those who commit electoral malpractices?

Jamir: The party office would be the right entity to comment on this issue.

MT: If not the party, will you take the initiative personally?

Jamir: Certainly, if it comes to my notice.
Additionally, Sangtemla has been very fair to voters. Even people from outside have respected Sangtemla. I hope this trend continues. I hope there will be “One man, one vote” and that an ID card will be mandatory. There are unfounded rumors that people are saying there will be some intimidation, like some forces may come in, people masquerading as policemen, etc. But these are unfounded rumors.

Mokokchung Times