Aizawl, Nov 23 : It has been well said by observers and analysts that Mizoram needs no guidelines of the Election Commission as it has its own model code of conduct.
Two watchdogs — the newly floated Mizoram Peoples’ Front (MPF) and Young Mizo Central Association (YMCA) — have come out with their directives to all political parties and their leaders on how to maintain peace and goodwill among rivals in the fray in the run-up to the Assembly polls slated for December 2.
Adhering to the diktats of the forum that comprises all denominations of Churches and YMCA, the parties have decided not to have colourful posters, banners and door-to-door campaign. Candidates are to address meetings organized by the forum.
They have to depend for campaign on SMS and local TV channels, that too with care and caution.
Front vice-chairman Zosangliana Colney made it clear that there should be no money power, extravaganza or any sort of spectacular show in canvassing in order to cut unnecessary expenditures.
Obviously, there is no heat and dust. Journalists interview candidates and their supporters on television. The forum monitors all public meetings.
Along with this comes the directive of the Election Commission to all public carriers not to display party flags or symbols without its permission. The traditional festive colour and carnival spirit is missing. Gone are the days of colourful rallies and singers lending their voice to make campaign musical. This is to keep election and electioneering a dignified and decent event.
Significantly, all political parties and their leaders have vowed not to have any nexus with underground outfits. Forum general secretary Lalbiakmawia Ngente personally met the leaders of NSCN (IM), NSCN (K) and HPC (D) as well as Zomi Revolutionary Party and impressed upon them not to meddle in politics or influence the election process in anyway. Other insurgent groups have also been approached through them to keep away from polls.
The Congress and MNF which allegedly have entered into a tacit understanding with either faction of HPC have been advise to revoke it.
In all fairness, the pre-poll scenario in Mizoram is all serene and solemn.
It has evoked deep appreciation from special Election Commission observer Debashis Sen. In this milieu, the major political fronts — the Congress, ruling MNF and United Democratic Alliance of Mizoram People Conference and Zoram Nationalist Party — along with their allies have been on election campaign caught between the guidelines of Election Commission and Mizoram Peoples’ Front to woo 6,11,124 voters who are to exercise their franchise for the 40-member tenth Legislative Assembly in as many as 1,026 polling stations on December 2.
The Sentinel
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