Vote is currency in electoral polity: CS

Nagaland Chief Secretary, CJ Ponraj, said vote is like currency in the electoral polity for running the democratic institution, the only difference between currency and vote was that currency are free to spend as and when require whereas vote can exercise in 5 years. He said this while addressing the gathering as the chief guest during the observance of 5th National Voters’ Day on the theme “Easy registration, easy correction” at Hotel Japfii, Kohima, on Sunday.
Ponraj said the adult franchise can be successfully translated by educating the voters which is the democratic roots. He expressed concern on what prevented the people to go to polling station and enrolling themselves to exercise their vote. He said the National Voters’ Day reminds the importance of vote and voting system in the democratic country to exercise the moral value and individual rights.
Lamenting the electoral system in the state, the chief secretary said the diktats and orders issued by the village council to support particular candidate as a collective interest or for the unity of the village was a crime and an offence. He also reminded the gathering that in the democratic country, the chosen leader cannot trample the people’s rights when voted to power.
The chief secretary appealed the various students’ unions to instill the value of electoral system to the younger generations. He shed light on some of the challenges such as multiple registrations, wrong attitude towards electoral and exercising individual rights.
Ponraj also shared the importance of media role for behavioral change of the public towards electoral system. He challenged the gathering to be more informed, proactive, take the risk and reap the good result.
Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, Honje Konyak, handed over the best BLO awards in Kohima district to Zasekuolie Kruse, GPS T/I Thekrujunama (8 Western Angami A/C); Keneisanuo Thou, P/T GPS Merhulietsa (9 Kohima town A/C); Huni Khing, LDA Directorate of Horticulture (10 Northern Angami -1 A/C); Ruokuolhoulie, A/T GPS Cieswema (11 Northern Angami-11 A/C); Hanchelo Jemu, P/T GMS Tesophenyu (12 Tseminyu A/C); Hovisato Chowkidar, GHS Jakhama (14 Southern Angami -1 A/C); and Kedivi Mekro, A/T GPS Kezoma (15 Southern Angami -11 A/C).
The chief guest gave away the prizes of the state level comprising best DEO to Honje Konyak, DC Kohima; best ERO to Dr. Kadambari Bhagat, ADC & ERO Peren; best AEO & AERO to R Toshimeren, AEO & AERO Dimapur; two best BLOs to Tongpang Sucha and Woben Kithan, winners of whatsapp competition (Clean electoral roll for clean election) to Vitoi Awomi and Katenmongla.
Essay writing competition winners are Rite-ü T Mero (Class 12 MHSS), Bendangtila (Class 11 Mount Hermon HSS); and Mongsentong Longkumer (Class 12 MHSS).
The programme was chaired by Sentiyanger Imchen, CEO Nagaland, while administering of voters pledge was led by the chief guest. Rite-ü T Mero read the award winning essay, and the vote of thanks was proposed by N Moa Aier, Joint CEO, Nagaland.                        
On the sideline of the programme, State chief secretary CJ Ponraj informed that all government offices are discharging duty normally and not affected by the current political turmoil.