Asif Iqbal Naik
Jammu, February 17: The Government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday appointed Shri Shantmanu, IAS (Retd.), as the new State Election Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to a notification (S.O. 42) issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) from the Civil Secretariat, Jammu, the appointment has been made under sub-section (3) of Section 36 of the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989.
The notification dated February 17, 2026, states that the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has appointed Shri Shantmanu to the constitutional post of State Election Commissioner. He shall hold office for a period of five years from the date he assumes charge or until he attains the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier.
The appointment will take effect from the date he formally assumes charge of the office. The terms and conditions of his appointment will be notified separately by the Government. The order has been issued by Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, M. Raju, IAS, by order of the Lieutenant Governor.
Shri Shantmanu, a senior retired IAS officer, has previously served in Jammu and Kashmir in various key administrative positions. During his tenure in the Union Territory, he handled important assignments across departments, contributing to governance, development initiatives, and administrative reforms. His prior experience in J&K is expected to provide him with a strong understanding of the region’s administrative and electoral landscape.
The State Election Commission plays a crucial role in conducting elections to Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies, ensuring that grassroots democratic institutions function in a free, fair, and transparent manner. With his vast administrative experience and familiarity with the Union Territory, Shri Shantmanu’s appointment is seen as significant in the context of upcoming local body and Panchayati Raj elections.
Copies of the notification have been forwarded to the Principal Secretary, Election Commission of India; Director General of Police, J&K; Additional Secretary, UT Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India; and other senior administrative authorities for information and necessary action.
