Srinagar, October 29, 2025 : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday introduced a bill in the Assembly seeking to enhance the maximum age limit of the State Election Commissioner (SEC) from 65 years to 70 years, bringing the UT in line with provisions in several other states.
The amendment bill to the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 was moved by Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Javid Ahmad Dar.
As per the draft, “The State Election Commissioner shall hold office for a term of five years, including any period of reappointment, or until attaining the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.”
Currently, the SEC holds office for five years or until the age of 65, whichever comes first. The government said the amendment aims to provide greater flexibility and parity with states like Uttar Pradesh, where the upper age limit is also 70.
Highlighting the significance of the post, the government said the SEC plays a vital role in conducting free and fair local body elections, issuing directions for electoral roll updates, and strengthening grassroots democracy.
“To introduce greater flexibility in certain circumstances and bring parity with other states, it has become necessary to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act,” the statement said.
In addition, the government tabled another bill to empower the J&K Special Tribunal to perform the functions and powers of the Cooperative Appellate Tribunal, under an amendment to the Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Societies Act, 1989.
The amendment seeks to omit Section 157—which mandated a separate Cooperative Appellate Tribunal—allowing the Special Tribunal to handle appeals and related matters as was permitted earlier under the 2016 amendment.
Further, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, who also holds the Labour and Employment portfolio, introduced a bill to amend and consolidate labour laws governing employment and service conditions of workers in shops and establishments across the Union Territory.
These legislative moves signal the government’s broader intent to streamline governance, improve administrative efficiency, and align J&K’s statutory framework with national standards.
