J&K Govt Initiated Process To Appoint SEC

2025-09-18 03:21:36

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer)
File photo of civil secretariat

Srinagar- The Jammu & Kashmir government has begun the process to appoint a new State Election Commissioner (SEC), the authority responsible for overseeing Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies in the Union Territory.

The Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj has submitted the matter to the Chief Minister's Office to initiate the selection process.

As per the Jammu & Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989, the SEC is appointed by the Lieutenant Governor on the recommendation of a committee headed by the Chief Minister. Other members of the panel include a senior minister nominated by the Chief Minister, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Minister in charge of Panchayats, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly.

The post has been vacant since April 27, 2025, when B.R. Sharma retired upon reaching the statutory age of 65. The SEC's tenure is five years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.

Currently, Jammu & Kashmir has no functioning Panchayats, Block Development Councils-the first two tiers of the Panchayati Raj system-or Urban Local Bodies. The elected District Development Councils (DDCs) are set to complete their five-year term on February 24, 2026, having been constituted on February 25, 2021. (KNO)

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