Choose your leaders responsibly: Shanavas

Deputy commissioner (DC) & district election officer (DEO), Shanavas C while highlighting the menace of proxy voting, stated that the people should not complain about developmental activities in the state since it was the voters who elected the leaders.
In this regard, he urged upon the people to choose their leaders carefully and responsibly, and not to be swayed by money.
Shanavas C was speaking at the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) awareness talk jointly organised by department of Political Science, Mount Olive College, Kohima (MOCK) in collaboration with IQAC, as resource person, here, on Thursday.
The DC & DEO encouraged the gathering to spread awareness on pressing issues with regard to voting and also emphasised on the importance of one’s vote.
He stressed that choosing the right candidate and electing the right leader could bring enormous changes, especially in Nagaland.
Sharing his experience as the DEO, Shanavas C remarked that election process in the state was “not free and fair.”
He pointed out that the concept of democracy existed only in words and not in spirit.
In this regard, he questioned the crowd as to who was more corrupted? The public or the politicians.
He disclosed that during election period, the public tend to place demand for money and are paid Rs. 5000-10,000 while the village chairman and members of the village decide whom to vote for.
Shanavas pointed out that voting was a democratic right which cannot be deprived. He explained the significance of SVEEP is the flagship programme of Election Commission of India (ECI) for voter education, voter awareness and voter literacy in India.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by MOCK acting principal, Swedezhono Tsukru and invocation was offered by chairperson & MD, Tokheni Sema.
Later, vote of thanks was proposed by HoD, Political Science, coordinator, IQAC MOCK, Zinia Gangmei and benediction was offered MOCK vice principal Lovitoli Zhimomi.