SHILLONG, March 28 -- Archbishop Dominic Jala, while stating that voting is a sacred obligation, has urged all the Catholics in Meghalaya who of voting age, to exercise their right to franchise in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.Ina a letter issued recently, Archbishop Dominic Jala, in his capacity as president of the North East India Regional Bishops' Council (NEIRBC) said, "In a few weeks, starting from April 11, our country goes to the polls. At this juncture we call upon all our faithful to exercise their franchise."

Asserting that voting at every election is a sacred obligation and a right of every citizen above the age of 18, Jala said, "At the same time we want to insist that voting for money or material gain (selling one's vote)...