THE Legislative Assembly of British Columbia has recommended that Shipra Verma be appointed as B.C.’s chief electoral officer.
The legislative assembly’s recommendation follows the unanimous recommendation of Verma by a parliamentary committee. The committee, made up of members of government and opposition caucuses, conducted a comprehensive search to fill the position of chief electoral officer. Verma will begin her term on November 12, 2025, following appointment by the lieutenant governor.
“The committee agreed that Shipra Verma’s experience as chief electoral officer of Manitoba will bring new perspectives and leadership to the administration of electoral events in British Columbia,” said Janet Routledge, committee chair, on Wednesday. “Members were also impressed by her dedication to promoting voter participation.”
Linda Hepner, deputy chair, said: “Shipra Verma is deeply committed to electoral integrity and democratic values, and provides her teams with engaging, collaborative and innovative leadership. We are confident in her ability to administer electoral events with professionalism and fairness.”
Committee members expressed their appreciation to Anton Boegman for his steadfast leadership and dedicated commitment to public service as chief electoral officer over the past seven years.
The committee’s recommendation was included in a report released on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, which is available here: https://www.leg.bc.ca/
The parliamentary committee is as follows:
* Janet Routledge, MLA, Burnaby North (chair)
* Linda Hepner, MLA, Surrey-Serpentine River (deputy chair)
* Tara Armstrong, MLA, Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream
* Garry Begg, MLA, Surrey-Guildford
* Harman Bhangu, MLA, Langley-Abbotsford
* Stephanie Higginson, MLA, Ladysmith-Oceanside
* Qwulti’stunaat / Debra Toporowski, MLA, Cowichan Valley
SHIPRA Verma is a fellow chartered professional accountant with more than 25 years of experience spanning election administration, public accounting and professional services. Throughout her distinguished career, Verma has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to integrity, innovation and public service – leaving a lasting legacy in Manitoba’s democratic landscape.
Appointed chief electoral officer of Manitoba in 2013, Verma led Elections Manitoba through a multi-year modernization of its election administration. Her leadership was instrumental in introducing forward-thinking reforms that enhanced operational efficiency, transparency and public trust. Under her guidance, Elections Manitoba adopted innovative approaches to election delivery, prioritizing accessibility, service excellence and democratic engagement. Her efforts have helped shape a more inclusive and responsive electoral system for Manitobans.
Verma has also contributed to global democratic efforts through participation in several international election observer missions. Her dedication to continuous learning and professional development is reflected in her facilitation of collaboration and exploration of emerging topics in electoral governance. She has played a key role in fostering interjurisdictional learning through organizations such as the Canadian Election Official Training group and the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws, which recognized her with its Outstanding Service Award in 2023.
Parallel to her remarkable career is her service on multiple boards and committees, where her commitment to community involvement extends beyond electoral matters. She is currently serving on the boards of notable organizations, such as Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba and as a lay councillor for the Council of Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba.
In recognition of her contributions to forging new pathways for women in Manitoba, Verma was one of 18 women to receive recognition with the Trailblazers of the First 100 Years from the Manitoba Legislative Assembly project.
