Ao Baptist Pastors Fellowship held its Clean Election Prayer Rally in collaboration with District Administration at Mokokchung Town on Tuesday.
The movement of prayer was joined by hundreds of people from all walks of life. Church youths and women department also joined the pastors in the rally as they marched the main roads of the town and took an oath for Clean Election.
The rally started from the Imkongmeren Sports Complex and culminated at the Main Town Circle Point.
A short speech under the theme ‘Nagaland for Christ’, was delivered by Rev. Dr. Prof. Mar Pongener, Executive Secretary, Ao Baptist Arogo Mokokchung (ABAM). In his speech, he emphasized against selling of votes and indulging in unethical practices.
Rev Aowabang, Pastor, Guwahati Ao Baptist Arogo, delivered a short speech on ‘Clean Election Against Corruption’ at SBI Bazaar Branch spot. He stated that advanced democracies remain vulnerable due to the excessive impact of private wealth on public choices in ways that undermine the principles of democracy. Money plays the key role in the state elections, he said, but sensibly, election does not need money.
He called upon the Ao’s to ponder about one’s faith and be a leading example in propagating Clean Election in Nagaland.
Shashank Pratap Singh, IAS, DC Mokokchung, flagging off the Rally at Imkongmeren Sports Complex.
A short speech was delivered by the Deputy Commissioner, Shashank Pratap Singh, IAS. While addressing the mass, he said that everyone is aware of the rights and wrongs and that it depends on the voters and their conscience. He also mentioned that SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) activity is a noble initiative of the (Election Commission of India) ECI to promote quantitative and qualitative aspects in Urban/Local election, Assembly elections and Parliamentary election.
He said SVEEP is implemented to promote awareness on one’s rights, responsibilities and duties in making a better society stating, “Vote or adult franchise is the biggest asset in Democracy”.
The Deputy Commissioner also flagged off the Rally at Imkongmeren Sports Complex.
Prayers and short speeches were delivered in four other spots of Mokokchung.
At Mariani junction, Imnatoshi, Pastor, Dimapur AO Baptist Arogo spoke on the topic ‘Vote for Clean Election’, below Elite hostel, Rev. Dr. Lima Jamir, Pastor Dimapur AO Baptist Arogo spoke on ‘Free & Fair Election’ and at main Police Point, Sentisashi Aier, Senior Pastor, Kohima Ao Baptist Arogo spoke on the topic ‘Vote Against Communalism’.
The conclusion speech was delivered by Rev. L. Meren Kichu, Pastor, Sabangya Compound Baptist Arogo.
