Clean Election campaign a farce

Election campaign in Nagaland has been very low key in most districts barring the explosive conflicts in Mokokchung district where the only death occurred after a youth died when supporters of a rival candidate allegedly pelted stones in Tuli town on February 22. Two were shot and injured after exchange of weapons fire between rival party supporters at Chungtia village on February 24.
Such incidents have exposed the inability of administration in devising effective means of nipping trouble in the bud.
‘Clean Election’ was reduced to a farce when money and liquor were poured into the campaign as proven ‘weapons of election war’ to buy votes along with camps and open feasts throughout the state .
All the candidates who posed with church functionaries before launching their campaigns by vowing to adhere to ‘Clean Election’ were suddenly hit with amnesia as they resorted to ‘Unclean election’ with full force to win favour of the ravenous multitude. The electioneering this time was drastically limited to around 13 days after the last date of withdrawal on February 12, to the end of campaign on February 25. There was hardly any meaning left to the word ‘campaign’ as the only means of winning favour was material (money) and not verbal (speech).
Coupled with short space for electioneering, candidates preferred to adopt a ‘personal touch’ of placing money to the never-ending line of outstretched hands. Liquor was a must along with non-vegetarian dishes. Even those who could hardly afford cheap rum, demanded choice whisky brands and meat in every meal.
On an average, candidates in some constituencies spend around Rs.5 crore each while in other constituencies, the expenditure could be as high as Rs.10-12 crore each. In exceptional cases, some candidate spend even as much as Rs.20-25 crore. To arrive at the colossal figure of how much is being spent by all the candidates, the average expenditure x 195 candidates x 59 constituencies (one was elected unopposed) will reveal the colossal figure. The state capital Kohima and commercial hub Dimapur, are witnessing a marked decrease in population, as many voters were going to their respective villages or towns to cast votes. For those who are remaining, this has meant an enormous improvement in traffic conditions.
Kohima: The state capital is by and large peaceful with no report of any violent incident till Monday, the last day before polls.  Speaking to Nagaland Post, a student in Kohima town said the contest in the town was competitive and also clean in the sense, of absence of pasting of bills and also restriction on youth camps. However he said money remained as the permanent feature as candidates poured money like pouring liquor.
Another youth hit out at proxy voting saying that those involved should be exposed by publishing their photos and names in local newspapers to name and shame them.
Dimapur: Talking to Nagaland Post, a Ph. D student disclosed she would be voting for the first time after returning from study outside Nagaland. She encouraged youths to vote exercise their franchise and not only criticise.
 She was happy that there are five women candidates and hoped they will be able to give a tough fight and win their seats. She said it was her prayer that the five will prove that women are prepared to fight on equal terms and not all for quota.
A social activist appealed to voters to “vote wisely.” He said whichever candidate wins should not neglect development of infrastructure and public should make the elected accountable.
He also sought to send a message to which ever candidates win that they should remember that great public hope is placed on them and that is the reason they had won. Likewise, they should hear the general public’s aspirations and hopes and act on these once they occupy the seat of power.
He appreciated the women who were contesting which, according to him, was a “great challenge” for women. He hoped that women would be elected and, with their unique views, they would be able to look into matters that had been ignored by the male politicians.
A prominent businessman from Church Road lauded the NBCC and ABAM for spearheading the “Clean Election Campaign”. He claimed it has impacted Dimapur in particular. “We have had to down our shutters during the previous elections. There was an atmosphere of doubt and uncertainty about the safety of our businesses but this time, we don’t have to close shop.”