Church delivers electoral Ten Commandments
Our Correspondent
Shillong: Here’s a piece of advice to Garo voters straight from the pulpit: look no further than an honest man while voting.
Issuing the electoral equivalent of the “Ten Commandments”, the Garo Baptist Convention asked voters to select candidates with integrity and moral character in the March 3 Assembly elections.
The Tura-based church organisation is circulating pamphlets among the residents in an attempt to rid Garo Hills of “corruption and a lack of development”.
The organisation’s general secretary K.C. Marak said it wanted to ensure that the voters selected honest candidates.
The 10 guidelines, issued in English and Garo, speak of the urgent need to redeem Garo Hills.
“We want to make the people aware that as Christians, we are duty bound to fight against corruption,” Marak said. “We get many financial grants from the Centre and there are enough funds with the state government. If we had utilised these properly, Garo Hills would have developed greatly.”
The first instruction says the voters should select candidates with integrity and moral character, irrespective of party affiliation.
Educated candidates who have a clear vision for the people should be elected, according to the second instruction.
“Beware of those who think about personal gain, power and position. Do not cast votes for those who make empty promises. Know that your vote is precious and powerful and hence, do not elect candidates who allure you with money,” exhort the other directives.
The guidelines also warn the voters not to receive any benefits from the candidates.
“Please do not go to the candidates’ residences to eat or to ask for money for by doing this, you will be forcing the candidate to recover the expenses from the money meant for the development of the constituency, once he or she is elected,” says another guideline.
The pamphlets also request the candidates to refrain from asking the candidates for money for any religious purposes or enjoying feasts during Christmas and New Year.
The church, however, urges the voters to respect the candidates. “Please avoid any negative comments and do not engage in verbal duels if you do not like the candidates”, said another rule.
It also asked the voters to assess the performance of the sitting legislators who were seeking re-election.
The last piece of advice from the church to the electorate was, “Let us elect god-fearing persons who would work for the development of the state and the people.”
Acting Governor S.S. Sidhu’s Republic Day address also urged the people to ensure fair elections in Meghalaya.
Speaking during the Republic Day celebrations at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the governor said he hoped that the polls would be held in a peaceful manner.
“I call upon the voters of the state to exercise their franchise freely and to maintain peace and harmony during the polls,” he said.
January 27, 2008, Telegraphindia.com |
