Nagaland poll: Candidates urged not to use unfair means

Kohima, March 02 : An apex church organisation in Nagaland today called for exercising restraint by candidates and their supporters who sought to win the March 5 assembly election through unfair means.

Denouncing the use of money, liquor and muscle power by some candidates in the run up to the election, Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) asked Christians to show unquestionable integrity and loyalty to god and not indulge in any compromise.

Many of those involved in the present electioneering seemed to be adopting shortcuts to attain immediate success for themselves without any hesitation, NBCC Peace Affairs Director Rev L Kari Longchar, said in a statement here.

On reported involvement of Naga underground groups in electioneering, NBCC said the state election was not their responsibility and their participation in the poll process was highly questionable.

The NBCC, which had issued a moral code of conduct after announcement of poll schedules in Nagaland, said soliciting support from underground factions by candidates was illegal and immoral.

On unchecked flow of liquor and money in the poll process, NBCC said, purchase of votes by candidates and demand for money by voters were immoral too.

Calling for immediate halt of all forms of confrontation among supporters of rival political parties, the influential Church council urged the administration, polling officials, police and security personnel to exercise their duty without any bias to ensure a free and fair election.

ANI