Jammu, July 14: Jammu and Kashmir’s new State Election Commissioner (SEC) B R Sharma was announced today by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Until he becomes 65, he will serve as the State Election Commissioner.
The establishment of the SEC is the first stage towards reviving the State Election Commission, which had been dormant since February 1, 2023, under the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989.
The Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has appointed Braj Raj Sharma, IAS (Retired), to the position of State Election Commissioner for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with Section 36 of the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989. State Election Commissioner till he reaches the age of 65,” says the notice issued by GAD Commissioner Secretary Sanjeev Verma.
Once he is sworn in as State Election Commissioner, his appointment will become official. “The government shall subsequently notify him of the terms and conditions of his appointment,” the announcement said.
B R Sharma, a member of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) from the Kathua district of the Jammu region, has held the positions of Chief Secretary of J&K and Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.
Sharma, who was born in 1960, has held many positions throughout his distinguished career, including that of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of J&K, Principal Secretary Home J&K, Advisor (Administrative Affairs) to former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, chairman of the Staff Selection Commission, and chairman of the J&K Public Service Commission.
K K Sharma, B R Sharma’s predecessor as SEC, served till his tenure ended on February 1, 2023.
After the conclusion of the Amarnath Yatra, it is expected that the process for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Panchayat elections would be launched, according to reports citing government sources. Reportedly, an order concerning the aforementioned matters of revising electoral registers, rotating reserved seats, and delimiting Wards and Panchayats might be anticipated shortly.
