Govt Initiates Process to Appoint New State Election Commissioner | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: With Lok Bhavan clearing the amendment passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to enhance the maximum age of the State Election Commissioner, the Jammu and Kashmir government has set the process in motion to appoint the head of the State Election Commission, the body mandated to conduct Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies polls in the Union Territory.

As per sources, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has nominated senior cabinet minister Sakina Ittoo as one of the members of the selection panel headed by him.

The selection panel also comprises the Minister-in-Charge of Panchayats, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Leader of the Opposition, and a senior minister to be nominated by the CM.

With the nomination of Sakina Ittoo, the selection committee is now in place, and the government is expected to convene its meeting soon to recommend a name to the LG for the appointment of the State Election Commissioner.

“The selection committee meeting will be convened soon,” sources said.

The State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Lieutenant Governor on the recommendation of the CM-led selection panel.

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly had earlier passed a bill to enhance the maximum age limit for holding the office of the State Election Commissioner from 65 years to 70. The bill has received assent from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

It is worth mentioning that Jammu and Kashmir is currently without elected Panchayats and municipalities. While the term of urban local bodies ended in November 2023, the elected Panchayats ceased to exist on January 9, 2024.(KNO)