Money and power vs the challenge of a 'clean' election in Nagaland

Nagaland may be heading towards electing its next government, but one can say that those associated with the Church, election, and election awareness campaigns are a perennial affair. Various church organisations have repeatedly called for fair elections not just now, but even a year before. And in 2021. And in 2019.

And anyone familiar with Nagaland and its electoral performance knows that from declaring a “consensus candidate” to periodic updates on cash and drugs seized, a ‘clean election’ is a challenge in the Naga society due to the unabated abuse of money and power. This challenge is compounded by residents’ eagerness for the cash and other gifts that candidates shower them with. While there are local elections too, the assembly elections are of particular interest to many. No, this is not because they are eager to change their representatives. The election ‘season’ means they may sell their votes to earn extra money.

Also Read | Eastern Nagaland tribes are no longer boycotting polls. Here’s why

One voter from Kohima acknowledged what he had received in the past while another shared his plans for the money he is likely to get this time. “In the past election, our candidate distributed Rs 25,000 each for one polling and a pig to all polling stations on poll day,” said one voter on the condition of anonymity.

“After the election, I will start a shop with the money I get from candidates during the political campaigns. It’s easier to make money during elections,” said another.

But there are still many that are fighting the ‘clean election’ battle advocating the right to vote without any influence. Three villages: Kiruphema Basa and Thizama under Kohima district and Nihokhu under Niuland district, declared consent to hold ‘clean elections’ and were feted by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) during the 13th National Voters’ day in Kohima.

Nagaland set in motion for Assembly polls 2023 — Nagaland Chief Election Officer V Shashank Shekhar addressing a press meet

Clean election for development

Chairman of Kiruphema Basa, Ape Yavio, in conversation with EastMojo reveals why the village with 372 voters decided to declare a ‘clean election’. “Our village was always strict about proxy voting and selling of votes in the past, but there were instances when political parties arrived in our villages and held feasts, distributed alcohol, and conducted doo-to-door campaigns, and so on. Promises made were also never fulfilled,” Yavio said.

In 20 years, he said, the village has not witnessed any developments assured by the political parties and the candidates. “We decided that during the upcoming election, no one would be allowed to campaign, distribute money, or bring alcohol to our village. No resident will sell votes or give proxy voting. We aim to ensure that the political parties and the contesting candidates do not waste their money before the elections so that they can bring developmental activities to our village after they come to power,” he added.

Also Read | Nagaland: ENPO’s withdrawal of poll boycott call shows trust in govt, says Shah

To ensure the resolution’s strong impact, defaulters would be compelled to give up their vote and their names would be removed from availing of benefits given to the village in the future.

While these villages have declared a clean election, church bodies, social activists, and civil societies are also fighting for clean elections.

Money, muscle and empty rhetoric

“Declaring commitment to a clean election initiative is good, but that is not a primary goal. Our primary goal is more honourable than that because in our context we have observed that it simply becomes a ‘paper tiger.’ Our primary goal is to let it enter into our system of thinking and doing things. We are looking to change the mindset,” said Rev Zelhou Keyho, Secretary of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) as he spoke of the Church’s clean election campaign.

The church leader observed that at present, many have realised the evil practices during election hijack everything for the next five years. “We cannot blame the politicians. We know ourselves in and out. They (politicians) play politics/elections with our emotions. We have exposed ourselves naked before them. Every Tom, Dick and Harry who wants to be in power as a business found a passage through us. But if we have enough courage to say no to money power we will become clean,” he added.

To him, it is a ‘good sign’ that the younger generations are coming up against the corrupt system. “We are not counting on declarations though those are good signs and very commendable and encouraging. We look forward to more declarations. And more importantly, we look forward to standing firm on the declaration,” he said.

The NBCC’s ‘Clean Election Movement’, he said, is a movement against the current tide of corrupt practice. The old days, he recalled, were fun as people voted for who they believed can perform and deliver, with no influences. “It was just presenting yourself and the principles of the ideology of governance and about the future of the society. But alas, those days are gone and we are now caught up in something different. Money power and muscle power and empty rhetoric dominate our election platform,” he said.

Also Read | Nagaland: Rs. 28.96 cr in cash, IMFL, drugs seized ahead of Assembly polls

In a Christian-majority society, he said, the faithful must take up their responsibility in setting up people into power in Christian principles and faith. He added, “It is a sin to sell your vote. Likewise, it is a sin to vote by any form of influence. It is wrong, and what is wrong will not please God and is a sin, full-stop. There is no little wrong or little right.”

“Dishonesty is an accepted norm”

“Corruption has become a way of life for Nagas. Dishonesty is an accepted norm and endorsed by everyone and everything in Nagaland. This is so visible in the electoral process in Nagaland. We cannot just sit, point or complain,” said social activist Kevitho Kera.

Referring to the Clean Election Movement, he said that the team adopted the phrase “Catch them young”, giving special attention to the young people, especially those in their formative age, with the hope that they would at least grow up informed and be aware of how dishonesty has overcome the society. Making honesty a lifestyle is what he dreams of.

As the Naga society has become so “negative and so pessimistic” which is “understandably so”, he hoped that efforts made for the movement would one day give good results.

“Since there is no accountability, corruption has become a way of life in Nagaland and it is so visible in the elections. Sometimes, I feel Delhi is deliberately turning a blind eye to corrupt activities for a sinister purpose. Kindly hold those who manage the funds accountable and trust me, we will see changes,” he told EastMojo.

Also Read | Nagaland 2023: NDPP, BJP release list of candidates. Details here

Moral duty to create public awareness

A member of the Chakhesang Clean Election Movement, on the condition of anonymity, said there is a lot more for Nagas to ponder upon about the right way to conduct elections. “Even if few people practice ‘one person, one vote’, that would also be a success for us,” she said.

As part of the first phase, she informed, they covered various regions under the Phek district, and in the next phase, they would visit villages of intending candidates to advocate the conduct of clean elections.

“We cannot force it upon people. Whether people do it or not, it is still our moral duty to create awareness, and we do not expect big changes this election, but we hope to make an impact on some lives,” she added.

With the election just a few weeks away, one can only wonder if the concept of ‘clean election’ will ever be a reality.