SHILLONG: Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor said on Thursday that only political parties can create awareness on the names of candidates and not the Election Department.
The response came when the official was informed that some villagers in Pomlum under Pynursla were not aware of the names of the candidates as reported in this daily.
“Our duty is that of an umpire and we cannot create awareness on candidates as our mandate is to conduct the election in a free and fair manner,” Kharkongor said.
There were suggestions from voters on the outskirts of Shillong that the Election department should sensitise people about the candidates.
He said the focus of the Election Department is to encourage voters to come out in large numbers and vote.
“Moreover, it is also our duty to create awareness on various aspects of EVMs and VVPATs,” the official said.
Kharkongor said political parties are free to popularise the names of the candidates in villages and they can seek the help of their supporters in this regard.
