Seshadrinath appointed new Kerala State Election Commissioner

Thiruvananthapuram: The Governor has approved the Cabinet's recommendation to appoint retired District Judge N Seshadrinath as the new State Election Commissioner. The appointment comes despite strong objections from within the Congress party, with some leaders alleging that Seshadrinath has ties to the Sangh Parivar. The Governor's approval arrives amidst these ongoing political differences within the political front.

The post of State Election Commissioner had been vacant for nearly three months following the retirement of A Shajahan on March 30. Previously, the former LDF government had decided to appoint K G Sanal Kumar, who was serving as a judge at the Chavara Family Court. However, the Governor denied approval for that appointment, citing criticisms that High Court clearance had not been sought while Sanal Kumar was still a sitting judge. Following this, the newly elected UDF government decided to nominate Seshadrinath for the role.

A native of Ernakulam, Seshadrinath became a District Judge in February 2018. Over his judicial career, he served as the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (MACT) judge in Taliparamba of Kannur, and as an Additional District Judge in both Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram. He subsequently worked with the Kerala Co-operative Tribunal, served as a Special Judge (NIA/CBI) in Kochi, and held the position of District Judge in Kavaratti.

Seshadrinath enroled as an advocate on January 13, 1990 and was selected as a Munsiff Magistrate in the Kerala Judicial Service in 2000. He officially retired from the judicial service on May 31, 2026, after which he served as an Iringalakuda Family Court judge following an extension of his service.