FAITH, CONSCIENCE AND THE BALLOT: LESSONS FROM MIZORAM’S MPF EXPERIMENT

History has taught us that society-driven reforms have wider acceptance, and durability strengthening democratic practices.

- PROF. RAGHAVENDRA P. TIWARI

These reforms highlight the significance of citizen's participation in safeguarding morals, integrity and democratic values. Free and fair elections are the bedrock of democracy. They provide legitimacy to elected governments, empower citizens, and ensure accountability of those in power. While the Election Commission of India (ECI) and state institutions have constitutional responsibility to conduct hassle free elections, civil society can play a crucial complementary role in safeguarding the sanctity of the election process.

Established in 2006, the Mizoram People Forum (MPF) is a unique civil society initiative for electoral reforms in Mizoram. The MPF is a church-sponsored election watchdog formed by the Mizoram Synod and other church denominations, Central Young Mizo Association, Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (an association of Mizo Women) and Mizoram Upa Pawl (an association of elderly Mizo people) etc. The Forum acts as a conscience saviour to promote a transparent, participatory, disciplined, peaceful, inclusive, clean, free and fair elections for shaping the future of democracy. Unlike political parties, it is apolitical entity that works in tandem with the ECI and state authorities to help implement Model Code of Conduct and ensure peaceful election processes. The ECI has commended this out-of-box initiative of MPF.