Unified Covenant Party Launches in Nagaland to Combat Electoral Corruption

Kohima: The Unified Covenant Party launched at Bade village in Chumoukedima district this past Saturday. It aims to clean up Nagaland politics. The group promises value-based governance and major electoral reforms.

Zhoponeyi Zuo serves as the party president. He is a retired senior commandant from the CISF. Zuo stated the party was the "brainchild" of the Change Over Initiative Nagaland, a group of religious members and intellectuals worried about the state. They want to kill the cycle of corruption fueled by rampant vote-buying.

Zuo claims candidates blow massive amounts of cash during campaigns. They then raid public funds to pay themselves back. This greed leaves development projects and welfare schemes starved of cash. He questions if government money ever reaches the people who need it most.

The party wants churches and civil groups to teach voters to reject cash bribes. They plan to field leaders who value integrity over profit. The UCP will stay independent and avoid alliances with other political groups. They have already filled key seats, including the general secretary position.

The group adopted the Myrtle flower as its official party symbol. Zuo says the choice follows a spiritual vision his daughter had. It stands for righteousness, love, and restoration. Local leaders and church reps attended the office opening to mark the start of the party.