Brahma takes Charge as New Chief Election Commissioner (Lead)

New Delhi, Jan 16 (IANS) Harishankar Brahma Friday assumed charge as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and said the first priority was to conduct the Delhi assembly polls in a "free and fair" manner.

He promised to use internet and digital technology to improve election management, specially voting.

Brahma succeeds V.S. Sampath, who completed his tenure Thursday.

"My first priority and mission objective is to ensure that we conduct the election to the Delhi legislative assembly in an absolutely free and fair manner," he said after taking charge.

"Our long-term goal at the Election Commission of India, which I visualize, is to deliver excellence."

"To improve quality, transparency and speed, it will be my personal endeavor to use the latest technology both internet and digital to improve the quality of our election management, especially in voting," he added.

Brahma would be the second from the northeast to hold the post after J.M. Lyngdoh (2001-04).

The appointment of Brahma, the senior-most member of the Election Commission, was made by President Pranab Mukherjee Thursday. There is a convention of appointing the senior-most among the three commissioners as the chief election commissioner.

A 1975 Indian Administrative Service officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, 64-year-old Brahma, who hails from Assam, is a former union power secretary.

He assumed charge as an election commissioner Aug 25, 2010.