The Manipur Youth League (MAYOL) has expressed concern over reports of vote buying and attempts to influence voters through monetary inducements ahead of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Election scheduled for February–March 2027, warning that such practices could seriously undermine democratic processes.
The organisation urged the public to remain vigilant against electoral malpractice and to reject money-driven politics, stating that elections must not be reduced to transactions or influenced by short-term material benefits. It called for voters to exercise their franchise responsibly and choose capable representatives based on merit, governance ability, and commitment to public welfare.
MAYOL stated that the prevailing political situation reflects a deeper crisis rooted in the weakening of genuine democratic practice and the drift of politics away from its core function of governance and public service. It observed that electoral politics has increasingly been influenced by money power, contributing to public alienation from meaningful political participation.
The organisation said politics, in principle, refers to the governance and protection of the state and its people, and that a functioning government is central to lawmaking, law enforcement, resource management, and development. It stressed that the quality of governance is directly linked to the integrity of the electoral process, and that democratic systems lose credibility when elections are influenced by financial inducements.
MAYOL urged citizens to move away from political apathy and adopt a participatory political culture, emphasising the need for informed engagement in public affairs. It called for collective responsibility across all sections of society, including youth, intellectuals, civil society organisations, women’s groups, and senior citizens, to strengthen democratic values.
Ahead of the 2027 elections, the organisation appealed to voters to reject vote trading and excessive campaign spending, and instead focus on issues, policies, and development agendas. It further stated that only a politically aware and active society can ensure accountable governance and long-term stability.