Editor,
I would like to refer to three letters which appeared in the Readers’ Column of your esteemed Newspaper under the following heads:- (1) “Bleak Political Scenario” by Tushar K.De (2) “Voting – well” – A tall order” by K.L. Tariang and (3) “The right not to vote” by Daisy Kharkongor.
These letters reflect the general sense of complete disillusionment with the present choice of leaders and a gloomy expectation for the future of the State as it is clear as day that these leaders who are morally disintegrated and intellectually bankrupt will take our state deeper and deeper into the bottomless pit they have dug up for us. While I agree with the writer of the first letter in almost all the points in the letter, I disagree with him when he states that “the greed of the voters is the reason why the wrong people are elected”. As the writer states “our laws are only paper tigers”, the voters have seen that whatever the scale and magnitude of the scams perpetrated, the law almost always does not catch up with the perpetrators (led by politicians). Hence voters seeing no alternative gradually accept this situation and are forced to demand and accept whatever crumbs are thrown from the high tables. But this in no way proves that electors are as corrupt as the elected. What I mean to say is that by and large the electors still possess the basic human decency which the elected have lost.
With regard to the second letter, I agree with the writer that leaders of all religions should take up the challenge to educate and exhort their followers to exercise the right to vote as a divine duty to be performed with honesty. Here I would like to ask why not take it further and take a leaf out of what the church in Mizoram has done in the last several elections in that state. The church there asked all the candidates not to provide their supporters with food and liquor as well as other inducements and instructed their flocks not to visit residences / election offices of candidates during campaign periods. The church also arranged for open debates by candidates and the result is relatively “Clean” elections in that state in the past several elections.
Lastly, in the final letter referred to earlier the writer offered an alternative by pointing to the right not to vote provided by the election rules. This is alright for those who are aware and at the same time courageous enough to exercise this right openly although it takes away the right to secrecy of voters who opt for the facility. However, knowing ourselves to be timid (lehrain biej) I am sure that not many will exercise this right and given the vindictiveness of many of our politicians, most of those who would want to register their protest votes would rather stay at home instead. Hence the above alternative does not appear to be viable.
Therefore since there is as yet no provision in the electronic voting machine (that is, through the press of the button) to allow a voter to exercise his right under rule 49-0 of the conduct of Election Rules 1961, in secrecy, and since there is the “lack of viable candidates (honest, committed, educated etc) to vote for in the coming elections” I hereby exhort the writers of the above letters to offer themselves as Candidates, or, if not possible, to try to convince people with desirable attributes to consider to do the same.
I, for one, find no reason why I should not file my nomination papers for the upcoming election. Perhaps, at least this will provide an option to people (me, included) to cast their votes against people who do not meet the desired criteria mentioned earlier.
Good people should not remain silent. “THOSE WHO CAN, DO ! THOSE WHO CAN’T, CRY!!”
Yours etc.,
Donaldson Shanpru,
Shillong-2
Many candidates, alternate views
Editor,
The concerns brought up by Manny Lyngwa in The Shillong Times dated 28th January 2013, needs to be appreciated for they reflect the confusion of the public in choosing the right candidate for their constituency. However, some of her comments were made out of context and therefore require some clarification. For instance, when Manny Lyngwa wrote about the UDP candidate who was “forced” to stand as a candidate, it was not mentioned that the said candidate was only expressing her initial hesitance to accept the offer due to her lack of experience in politics. Being of a free and transparent nature, she had no qualms of admitting her fear as she was about to take such a major decision in her life. It was UDP who saw the potential in her and made her realize that what she had all along tried her best to contribute as a social worker, can be best achieved through politics, where wielding power in the right direction will bring about the changes that our people have desired for so long. Moreover, Manny Lyngwa has taken the liberty to place a person having the stature of a National Teacher’s Awardee in the third position in this election, and then goes on to say that “I look at the individual only and not the party”. Since she mentions only the UDP and Congress, we can only assume that according to her, she means that she supports the party not mentioned. It is rather depressing to think that this prestigious newspaper is being used to influence the public mindsetsi in this manner. However, as one from the same constituency as Manny, I regretfully disagree with her remark as I have observed the ever-growing acceptance of the electorate for the urgent need of positive change and hence, the general consensus is undoubtedly for the UDP candidate for reasons best known to them.
Yours etc.,
Abraham Fancon
Via email
Editor replies: A newspaper requires no definition. It is a public platform for expression of diverse views. If Manny Lyngwa is accused of supporting some candidate, then the letter by Abraham Fancon does the same and roots for the UDP candidate and we are sure that supporters of the Congress party will also stand up in support of their candidate. In the end it all balances out.
Educated but not wise
Editor,
Apropos the news “WKH to witness duel between ‘experienced’ and ‘qualified,” it is interesting to note that many highly qualified people came forward to join the fight in the upcoming Assembly elections in Meghalaya. But the question remains, are the ‘qualified’ wise enough?
Being educated (or having knowledge of a particular subject) is different from being wise. If we recall correctly, Ms. Ampareen Lyngdoh, is a highly educated MLA but was involved in a scam. Is she educated? Yes, but is she wise? I think no. So, my question is if the four highly qualified, candidates from West Khasi Hills, win this 2013 election, will they be wise or are they just some “educated fools”?
The Book of Proverbs says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom”, I hope our newly elected representatives are God fearing men/women.
Yours etc.,
Farlando Diengdoh,
Via email