Jammu, February 17 The administration of Jammu and Kashmir appointed former IAS officer Shantmanu as the new State Election Commissioner (SEC) of the Union Territory on Tuesday.
Shantmanu replaces B R Sharma, who completed his tenure after serving in the post since July 20, 2023.
According to an official notification issued by Commissioner-Secretary M Raju, the appointment was made under the direction of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha under sub-section (3) of section 36 of the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989.
Shantmanu, a 1991-batch officer of the AGMUT cadre, recently retired as Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner in Jammu and Kashmir.
His term as SEC will last for five years or until he reaches the age of 70, whichever comes first. The appointment will take effect from the date he assumes office, it said.
The notification stated that the terms and conditions of his appointment will be notified by the government in due course.
The appointment is expected to pave the way for panchayat and local body elections in the Union Territory. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had on Monday said that the government was making necessary arrangements to hold these elections at the earliest, but the vacancy of the SEC was a hurdle.
Under the J&K Panchayati Raj Act, and relevant Municipal Acts, the State Election Commission holds the authority for the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of local elections.