Shantmanu Sworn In as J&K State Election Commissioner, Signals Early Local Body Polls

Jammu, Feb 21: Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday moved a step closer to reviving grassroots democracy as former bureaucrat Shantmanu took oath as the State Election Commissioner for a five year term. Soon after assuming office, he underscored the pressing need to conduct the long-pending panchayat and urban local body elections in the Union Territory.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office to the retired IAS officer at a formal ceremony held at Lok Bhavan in Jammu. The occasion witnessed the presence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, along with other senior officials and dignitaries.

Describing the moment as one of “great happiness and pride,” Shantmanu said he was honoured to assume the constitutional responsibility. He indicated that holding elections to local bodies would be among the key priorities of his tenure. Referring to the delay in conducting panchayat and municipal polls, he said these institutions form vital pillars of the democratic framework, particularly in strengthening decentralised governance and ensuring development at the grassroots level. Since elections have not been held for some time, he noted, their timely conduct has become even more significant.

The Union Territory is presently on the verge of having no elected local bodies in place. The tenure of municipal councils ended in October and November 2023, while panchayats and block development councils completed their five year term on January 9, 2024. The district development councils are also set to conclude their tenure on February 24. In the absence of fresh elections, governance at the local level risks being handled entirely through administrative arrangements.

Officials have cited multiple factors for the delay in holding elections, including the delimitation of constituencies and the process of reserving wards for Other Backward Classes. These exercises, though necessary for ensuring equitable representation, contributed to postponements. The vacancy in the office of the State Election Commissioner further complicated matters, as the Commission is the statutory authority responsible for preparing electoral rolls and conducting local body elections under the Panchayati Raj Act and relevant Municipal laws.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had recently stated that his government was making necessary preparations to conduct the elections at the earliest opportunity, but acknowledged that the absence of a State Election Commissioner posed a significant hurdle. With Shantmanu’s appointment, that obstacle has now been addressed.

Appointed on February 17 by the Lieutenant Governor for a period of five years or until attaining the age of 70, whichever is earlier, Shantmanu brings with him decades of administrative experience. A 1991 batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, he recently retired as Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner in Jammu and Kashmir. He succeeds B R Sharma, whose tenure concluded in April 2024.