Clean Voting: Mizoram People Forum signs agreement with political parties to avoid bribing voters

The MPF in its agreement with the political parties said that the corrupt practice of bribing voters through money and other incentives should be avoided.

While politicking has picked pace in poll bound Mizoram, the civil society including different pressure groups have come together to ensure that the process is transparent – totally free from use of money power.

With this novel idea in mind, the Mizoram People Forum, an apex body of different organisations in the state have signed an agreement with 5 political parties including the MNF, Congress, People’s Conference, BJP and ZPM for holding free and fair elections.

Mizoram People Forum (MPF) general secretary Reverend Lalramliana Paachauau spoke to Northeast Live on the key development.

Paachauau said, “As per our agreement we try to reduce the expenditure and we have tried to do away with inducement. So those are the main points. House to house campaign, this could be a means of so many unwanted practices like giving away money. In short we had an agreement with political parties trying to impart free and fair election. Along with that we made several points where we can work together. We are trying to minimize the unfair practices and to do away with it.”

The MPF general secretary also urged political parties not to resort to use of money power to woo the voters. Similarly, the voters have also been urged not to accept cash if distributed by any political party.
Lalramliana Paachauau in his appeal said, “We appeal to the candidates not to give money to the people and we appeal to the people not to receive money or whatsoever. The candidates should have a good reputation, must be a God fearing man, also who is loyal and faithful.”

As per the agreement, in terms of election expenditure all the political parties and candidates have been requested not to exceed election expenditure limit as specified by the ECI or state Election Commission.
The agreement also mentions that since house to house campaign provides a chance for ‘corrupt practices’, therefore such campaigns should not be allowed from the date of election notification. Instead the MPF will make a common platform for all candidates to deliver speeches at a specified time and place.

The MPF in its agreement with the political parties has also stressed on the fact that the corrupt practice of bribing voters through money and other incentives should be avoided. So it has urged the public, orgnaizations and church denominations not to make an appeal or favour particular candidates.
Not only this, the agreement states that public feasts, dinners, picnics etc. should be avoided as it unnecessarily escalates the expenditure of the candidate.

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