AIZAWL, Sept 1 NNN: Mizoram-based corruption watchdog PRISM (People’s Right to Information & Development Implementing Society of Mizoram) has issued ‘Peoples’ Manifesto’ to eight different political parties in Mizoram for the upcoming Mizoram assembly elections due in either October end or November.
The manifesto contains 20 chapters in which there are 87 duties and obligations where any political party that comes to power after the poll must implement them. Of the 87 duties, 43 are to be done within a specific time, while the other 44 duties do not have a time limit.
As stated in the manifesto, the Chief Minister (whoever he may be) should not hold the office of any department designed for developmental works. One point of the manifesto said salaries of ministers or MLAs should be reduced. Besides, plans will be prepared for land utilization and administrative reform and land reform that should be undertaken. “It is expected to check corruption thereby bringing transparency and accountability in the administration,” the manifesto stated.
If the manifesto is implemented by the government, families none of whose members are employed in government departments will also be benefitted.
‘Peoples’ Manifesto’ has been submitted to different parties including Bharatya Janata Party (BJP), Hmar People’s Convention (HPC), Maraland Democratic Front (MDF), Mizo National Front (MNF), Mizoram Peoples Conference (MPC), Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), Mizoram Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) to use as their manifesto in the upcoming election. The same copy was given to 20 organizations including AMFU general headquarters, Aizawl; Chhim Bial Chhantu, Lunglei; Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA), Aizawl;FOMTU Gen. Hqrs., Aizawl; LDDVF, Lawngtlai; MHIP Gen. Hqrs., Aizawl; MJA General Headquarters.,Aizawl; MKHC, Aizawl; MPF Hqrs., Aizawl; MSEWC, Aizawl; MSU Gen. Hqrs., Aizawl; and MUP.
Meanwhile, Mizoram election watchodog, Mizoram Peoples Forum (MPF) has also laid rules for the upcoming assembly polls.
The Mizoram Peoples’ Forum (MPF) is floated by the Synod, the largest Church body in Mizoram as an election watch-dog.
About 27 rules have been made by the MPF for the political parties to abide. Among the 27 points, one is that the political parties should only make an election manifesto which they can implement. If any political party violates any one of the 27 points, the MPF will “invalid” that party.
Some of the rules are that every party will try their best to have free and fair election; only the citizens of India should cast their votes; no political party should drop the voters to their polling stations by means of a vehicle; the MPF will check whether any one indulges in demanding money to the candidates and to the political parties; house to house campaign is allowed till 10 days before the election; “selling and buying” of votes are strictly prohibited.
and no candidate should distribute some material like silpaulin, Jersy, football, mobile handset, government schemes etc.; no protest rally should be organised 10 days before the election; a fixed number of banners, flags, posters are to be used by the parties.
The MPF is very influential and the people in the state have high regard for the Forum for its impartiality.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/peoples-manifesto-released/
