Cost of one election in Nagaland: A ‘cool’ figure of over Rs. 1061 crore

YouthNet releases Post Election Watch report 2018

Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 17

Rupees one thousand sixty one crore nine lakh and twenty five thousand—Rs. 1061, 09, 25,000. This is the approximate amount politicians spent in the election to 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) in 2018. It comes to around Rs. 8890 per vote for 1182948 electors.

These ‘cool’ figures were presented in the ‘YouthNet’s Post Election Watch Report 2018, Nagaland’ that was released here today during a press briefing at the ‘Made in Nagaland’ Centre. It was addressed by YouthNet’s Lezo Putsure, Director, Joshua Sheqi, Governing Council Member, Chichanbeni Kithan, Consultant and Hekani Jakhalu, Chair, Governing Council.

196 candidates stood for the 13th NLA election held on February 27. While 10 were independent, nine political parties that contested include the Naga People’s Front, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, National People’s Party, Indian National Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party and Aam Aadmi Party.

Each candidate spent, on an average, Rs. 5, 41, 37,372 (five crore forty one lakh thirty seven thousand three hundred and seventy two) though the lowest spending candidate spent Rs.45, 000 (forty five thousand), informed the report.

Skyrocketing election expenditure
The report stated that the trend of heavy expenditure in Nagaland for buying votes in Nagaland during election skyrocketed in the last two decades.

“What the common man has failed to realise is the compromise on the quality of infrastructural development which is contributing to the overall backwardness of the State,” it stated.

With the mission to educate the people on the negative impacts of selling votes during election, the Post Election Watch study was conducted by YouthNet first after the 2008 general elections. That year, an approximate amount of Rs. 569, 96, 00,000 (five hundred and sixty nine crore and ninety six lakh) was spent to buy votes and muscle man power during election, found the study.

The report was widely distributed by publishing in all the major local dailies and to the State Government and likeminded people, “so that the trend of random spending would be reduced in the 2013 elections.”

Yet, almost twice the amount was spent in the 2013 elections, seeing a 65% increase in expenditure (from 2008) by candidates with approximately Rs. 937, 82, 67,500 (nine hundred and thirty seven crore, eighty lakh, sixty seven thousand and five hundred) spent. In 2018, there was a 13% increase in expenditure.

Each vote in Nagaland went at an average cost of Rs. 5000 to Rs. 10,000 while the highest average spent per household was Rs. 75,000.

The report also suggested that the chance of winning is related to amount of money spent. The ‘general trends’ data showed that out of the 60 candidates, 38 elected representatives spent an average of Rs. 5-20 crore or more, while 20 candidates spending with Rs. 1-5 crore were elected. Two elected candidates spent less than 1 crore.

“What baffles us the most is that Nagaland proudly declares itself as a Christian state. Even at its worst state of affairs, a Christian state is expected to fare better than the present trend we see, because Christianity is a way of life,” the report noted.

“The nearest example that can be applied in Nagaland is the example of Mizos and Khasis. The pathetic prevailing consciousness amongst the general mass requires more of a soul searching exercise before preaching! The ever decaying mentality of the Naga voters offers no encouragement whatsoever. However, the continuing effort to put the prevailing condition is black and white must and will continue for posterity. Nagas have a choice,” it stated.

According to YouthNet, the report has “no intention of maligning any individual or any political party whatsoever” but to awake “is an effort to educate the masses to shift from the vicious circle which would bring checks and balances in the system for overall development of our state Nagaland.”

While that every effort has been made to come out with accurate figures as much as possible, it said that it is technically and humanly possible. However, Youthnet vouched that the “figures stated are closest to what was actually spent.”

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