Kohima: Church and civil society leaders launched the Clean Election Campaign on September 8 at the Pioneers Complex in T Chikri, Pfutsero. The movement aims to stop vote-buying and electoral malpractice before the 2028 Nagaland assembly elections. They want to restore local honesty.
Rev Dr Chekrovei Cho-o, Executive Secretary of the Chakhesang Baptist Church Council, officially started the drive. Representatives from youth fronts, student unions, women associations, and village councils attended the event. He warned the crowd: "The community's once-celebrated culture of integrity and honesty has faded, with unfair practices have become the new normal."
CCEM Chairman Rev Dr Kuzhopoyo Tunyi stated the group remains neutral and backs no political party. He noted the movement began in 2017. Progress is slow but steady. He reported that 20 to 30 percent of their goals were reached in previous years, including the removal of duplicate names from electoral rolls and a drop in underage voter registration.
Neiko Akami from the Nagaland Legal Services Authority briefed attendees on the Representation of the People Act of 1954. He demanded voters hold their government accountable. During the launch, the group released a new Clean Election song composed by Rev Dr Tunyi.
Community leaders urged collective action. Vezuhu Keyho of the Chakhesang Public Organisation asked all denominations to support the push for integrity. Zhonelu Tunyi of the Chakhesang Mothers Association shifted blame to the voters. She argued that people who sell their votes cannot complain when leaders fail to deliver development. The Chakhesang Youth Front and Chakhesang Students Union also demanded active participation, warning that easy money and alcohol trigger long-term corruption.
Updated at 9th September 2026 at 1:49pm
Rev. Dr. Cho-o added a moral ultimatum to his warning, telling the crowd that "right is right even when no one is doing it, and wrong is wrong even when everyone is doing it." He stated that Christians have a duty to align with these values.
Kevesa Khamo, president of the Chakhesang Youth Front, pushed for more than just talk, calling for active engagement rather than passive observation. Povozo Soho of the Chakhesang Students Union added that societal shifts start with the individual voter.
The event, held at the Mission Centre, also included an invocation and closing prayers led by Rev. Dr. Kowepe Kanuo and Rev. Dr. Kevekhalo Lasuh. Dr. Vezhoto Soho provided the vote of thanks, and Sevolu and friends performed a song for the attendees. While the local dialect song was released here, a Nagamese version had already been unveiled at the Nagaland Baptist Church Council formal launch.
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