AIZAWL: Elections in the northeastern state of Mizoram have a lot to do with civil society's active involvement.
Thus it is not without good reason that in the lead up to the November 28 polls, influential bodies including one floated by the church body are on the move to work as 'watchdogs' trying to ensure free and fair polls.
Mizoram People's Forum (MPF) is a platform set up in 2006 by the Mizoram Presbyterian Church Synod, the largest Christian denomination in the state, comprising church elders and members of three prominent organisations of women, senior citizens and youth.
"Our role is important but limited. We issue guidelines for all elections in Mizoram," says Rev B Sangthanga, senior vice-president of MPF.
Sources said the guidelines of dos and don'ts have been approved of by political parties in principle.
In October, leaders of eight regional and national parties, including Congress and BJP contesting this year's polls, signed an eight-point Memorandum of Understanding with MPF pledging to uphold the rules of the game.
The guidelines include abuse of money or alcohol.
"Earlier, door-to-door campaign was not allowed in Mizoram. But this time, it has been allowed for political parties but with the condition that the door-to-door campaign will be held under the supervision of MPF leaders," a source said.
According to sources, there was an argument that political leaders insisted on door-to-door campaigning to know voters and vice versa.
Another argument said, earlier door-to-door campaign could be linked to bribing with cash - but "now that money can be transferred digitally through mobile phones itself, so such a restriction was thought to be futile".
Meanwhile, a forum of smaller and regional parties like Mizoram People's Council and Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) has also floated an apex 'civil body like watchdog' for the coalition calling it Val Upa Council (VUC).
Coalition ZPM leader K Sapdanga said: "The Val Upa Council will not indulge in policy matters of the government once ZPM comes to power. But it has been following the tradition cherished by Mizo forefathers as it was part of the custom to have elders preside over the rulings of each community or provinces in olden times".
"The Val Upa Council will actually elect the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers in consultation with the Chief Minister if ZPM comes to power," a source said, adding - even as ZPM has announced that Mr Lalduhoma, a former MP, as the coalition's chief ministerial candidate.
"This is like taking the concept of civil society a step further but aiming to improve the quality of governance and making it more accountable to the society," said a local educationist Lalrupui.
Notably, during the Nagaland polls in February this year, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council had warned Christians of the 'threat' posed by the BJP for latter's alleged theocratic Hindu nation push.
However, no social direct opposition has been announced by any organisation in Mizoram.
Christian leaders like Vanlalruata of Young Mizo Association said: "We have circulated do's and don'ts for all political parties for electioneering. We can react only when specific issues come up. We will definitely oppose government or BJP policies that go against Christian values and principles. In the past, we opposed Yoga Day when they tried to impose it".