Do not link poll promises to EC: Brahma

HYDERABAD: Chief Election Commissioner HS Brahma on Saturday said that the regulatory has no role in implementation of the poll promises made by the political parties during election campaigns.

He said the Commission will leave the issue of implementation of poll manifestos and promises to the wisdom of the political leaders and said that the Commission can’t play the role of an ombudsman for every political outfit in the country.

Addressing the press on the sidelines of a Workshop on Aadhar linkage with electoral rolls, at the MCR Human Resources Development Institute, Brahma said: “Any aberrations by our politicians will be dealt by the voter. I leave it on voters; they will teach political parties that dishonor the manifesto after winning elections. Indian voters might look simple but they are well informed. The commission can’t hang the political parties as it is not our mandate. It requires constitutional amendment,” Brahma said.

Answering a question on voting through internet, he said that it depends on the level of literacy in the country. “The current system of EVMs will continue. We need 15 lakh more EVMs so that we can replace all those 8 lakh EVMs that were manufactured before 2006,” he said. He said that the decision on delimitation of constituencies in residual AP and Telangana is in the hands of the union government.

Election Commissioner Dr. Nasim Zaidi and Chief Electoral Officer for AP and TS Mr. Bhanwarlal were also present.