Shantmanu, a retired IAS officer, was officially sworn in on Saturday as the new State Election Commissioner (SEC) of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, marking a key development in the region’s administrative and democratic process.
The oath‑taking ceremony was held at Lok Bhavan in Jammu, where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office to Shantmanu. The event was attended by several senior political leaders and officials including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat.
Shantmanu, a 1991‑batch AGMUT cadre IAS officer, succeeds B R Sharma, whose tenure as SEC ended in April 2024. He has been appointed for a five‑year term or until he reaches the age of 70, whichever is earlier. His long career includes key administrative roles in Jammu and Kashmir, giving him extensive experience in governance and electoral matters.
In brief remarks after assuming charge, Shantmanu emphasised the “great responsibility” of his new role and underlined the urgency of conducting long‑pending panchayat and urban local body elections in the Union Territory. These elections have been delayed for several years due to factors including delimitation exercises and ward reservation procedures, leaving local governance structures without elected representatives.
Under the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act and relevant municipal laws, the State Election Commission is responsible for preparing electoral rolls and overseeing the conduct of panchayat and local body polls. With Shantmanu now at its helm, officials say the commission is better positioned to move forward with election preparations and strengthen grassroots democracy in the region.
Shantmanu’s elevation to the constitutional post is seen as a significant step towards reviving local electoral processes and reinforcing democratic governance across Jammu and Kashmir.
