Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The Presbyterian Church not only has an overwhelming impact on Mizo society, but on its elections too.
The Church, through the Mizoram People8217;s Forum MPF, an umbrella of NGOs, has not only issued a code of conduct for parties and candidates to follow this election, but is also monitoring its implementation. There is no loudspeaker, no procession, no traffic jam, no disturbance to schools and colleges. The use of posters and banners has been restricted.
8220;It is possible only in Mizoram,8221; claims Rev H Vanlalauva, a senior Church official who has been made president of the MPF. 8220;Our guidelines are intended to supplement the EC8217;s do8217;s and don8217;ts. Everybody wants a peaceful and free and fair election,8221; says Rev Vanlalauva.
Christianity arrived in the Mizo hills hardly a century ago. While a Welsh missionary, Rev William Williams, reached here on foot in 1891, it was only in 1899 that two Mizos were baptised. Till then, the Mizos were animists.
Interestingly, political parties and candidates have all welcomed the MPF guidelines rather than seeing them as a constraint. 8220;While the guidelines set by the Church and the MPF are good, we are benefiting in particular because it is cutting down our campaign expenditure,8221; said Zosangliana, secretary publicity of the Mizo National Front MNF that has been in power for ten years in a row.
K Aithanga, campaign manager of the MNF, wants to go one step further. 8220;The Mizoram guidelines can become a role model for preventing election campaigns from turning violent and chaotic across the country,8221; he says.
8220;The school exams were on till yesterday, and there was no disturbance just because of these guidelines,8221; points out H Ramdinliani, a housewife and mother of two.
