A disruptive syndrome

If anything, the voices for Clean Election orchestrated under the platform of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council(NBCC) from 2012 which continues to be re-emphasized during every election, is still an unaccomplished task. The incomplete task to effect Clean Election was amplified even during the recently concluded election in Nagaland where polling was held on February 27. It was in 2012 that the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) made an attempt to encourage clean election in the state. The NBCC’s clean election campaign began with the release of its book on the subject. Since 90s, this newspaper has been commenting on the conduct of elections in Nagaland and drawing comparisons with elections in Mizoram. It may be recalled that in Nagaland, particularly since the early 80s, elections graduated into totally undemocratic methods and continue to worsen over the decades. From ‘youth camps’ and open public feasts for party workers and public in the 70s’ to buying of votes and booth capturing in the 80s , electioneering became more aggressive. By late 80s to early 90s, gun power became the addition to the lethal arsenal in elections to not merely intimidate voters but also to arm twist village and town councils to support only a particular candidate. After the 90s, money became the deciding factor to buy not only votes but sustain an army of youth gangs and all various anti-social elements. Where there is muscle power, guns follow to ensure to not only to intimidate rival candidates and spread fear among voters but also to capture booths. In the recently held elections, money was without a doubt, one of the most used factor to buy votes. A candidate contesting for a small constituency of hardly 15,000 voters may spend up to Rs.15 to 20 crore in cash. In larger constituencies, a candidate could spend even anything from Rs.30 to 50 crore. Elections in Nagaland are not only among the most expensive in India but also most vicious. The consequences of such dubious elections are reflected at all levels of society such as- rampant corruption, injustice, violence and threats and blatant anti-social behaviour. Another issue that has also added a dimension over the call for Clean Election is the inability to enforce rule of law during election. Despite the deployment of 50 companies of Central Paramilitary Forces(CPF) in addition to 11 District Police, 8 NAP and 7 IRB(NAP) battalions for election duties, there were instances of violence in several parts of the state. In some of these, opposition parties have alleged that some of the officers were hand-in-glove with facilitating attacks on rivals. This is indeed a very serious issue which the ECI has to address and mete out stringent punishment against the erring officers. Hope was raised when the PHQ, during electioneering made it clear it will not shield any policeman indulging in electoral malpractices while exposing names of some involved. It is hoped the PHQ will do what it promised to do so that elections in Nagaland are free and fair so as to put the state back on track for a civilized society. Post-poll and later post-result violence is not unlikely and this has thrown up a serious challenge on law enforcement agencies to effect rule of law.