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Church controls polls in Mizoram
Aizawl, Nov 12: In Mizoram, the church not being overtly political, nevertheless remains a powerful influence in electoral politics and plays a major role in ensuring the peaceful conduct of polls in one of the most peaceful states of the North East.
Aizawl, Nov 12: In Mizoram, the church not being overtly
political, nevertheless remains a powerful influence in electoral
politics and plays a major role in ensuring the peaceful conduct of
polls in one of the most peaceful states of the North East.
The church does not give a call to people to vote for a
particular party but sets norms for selecting a good representative
who can work for the betterment of the society, said R
Lalmalsawma of Mizoram Presbyterian Church Synod.
In accordance with the resolution of the Mizoram Synod Conference, the church has been issuing election messages, which have been upheld and conformed to by the public for which the synod expresses its gratitude to the people and the political parties.
The state is headed for polls on November 20 and consequently, the Synod has again issued its election message. ''we appeal to all to abide by the guidelines which have been enumerated in it. The message maybe read out in the church as often as possible to remind the congregation of its importance. Members of the church must take special interest in the message and study it thoroughly''.
The practice began in 1990 and since then the church maintains complete control, leading to successive chief election commissioners to declare that Mizoram was the easiest state to hold elections in, in the whole country.
The appeal, in printed form and distributed through the churches across the state, literally decides who will rule the state for the next five years.
''Some times one gets upset by too much of discipline in such a highly civilized society,'' said Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh, in a lighter vein.
However, both Synod and Baptists churches have also appealed to the churches to stay away from politics. ''In a secular government, the church should not meddle in the affairs of the state. We must not allow politics to permeate into the church establishment. We must all strive to fulfill the guidelines set in this election message'', says the appeal.
Bureau Report
In accordance with the resolution of the Mizoram Synod Conference, the church has been issuing election messages, which have been upheld and conformed to by the public for which the synod expresses its gratitude to the people and the political parties.
The state is headed for polls on November 20 and consequently, the Synod has again issued its election message. ''we appeal to all to abide by the guidelines which have been enumerated in it. The message maybe read out in the church as often as possible to remind the congregation of its importance. Members of the church must take special interest in the message and study it thoroughly''.
The practice began in 1990 and since then the church maintains complete control, leading to successive chief election commissioners to declare that Mizoram was the easiest state to hold elections in, in the whole country.
The appeal, in printed form and distributed through the churches across the state, literally decides who will rule the state for the next five years.
''Some times one gets upset by too much of discipline in such a highly civilized society,'' said Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh, in a lighter vein.
However, both Synod and Baptists churches have also appealed to the churches to stay away from politics. ''In a secular government, the church should not meddle in the affairs of the state. We must not allow politics to permeate into the church establishment. We must all strive to fulfill the guidelines set in this election message'', says the appeal.
Bureau Report