Leh: Chief Secretary of Ladakh Ashish Kundra has directed district administrations to strengthen election preparedness, maintain daily monitoring of key developments and prepare contingency plans for remote and snow-bound areas ahead of the Panchayat Elections 2026.
Chairing a review meeting with senior officials, including representatives of the State Election Commission, Chief Electoral Officer, Ladakh, Director General of Police and Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of both districts, Kundra stressed coordinated planning to ensure the smooth, secure and orderly conduct of the electoral process.
Secretary, Rural Development Department, Nidhi Malik, presented an overview of preparations, covering blocks, Sarpanch and Panch constituencies, polling locations, Returning Officers, the election schedule, logistical requirements and personnel deployment.
Reviewing the arrangements, the Chief Secretary directed officials to ensure timely completion of nomination-related procedures, availability of election materials and ballot boxes, and training and deployment of polling personnel. He also called for daily monitoring of nominations and complaints, timely submission of reports and regular coordination with election authorities.
Security arrangements for strong rooms and counting centres at district and block levels also came under review. Kundra stressed secure storage of election materials, adequate police deployment and clear procedures for transportation, route planning and movement of polling parties.
With several polling locations in remote and snow-prone areas, the Chief Secretary asked district administrations to identify accessibility challenges in advance and prepare contingency plans based on road and weather conditions. The plans should include snow clearance, alternative routes and, wherever necessary, advance movement of polling parties. Officials were also directed to ensure adequate food, heating, accommodation and communication facilities for personnel deployed in difficult terrain.
The meeting also reviewed manpower requirements, deployment of teachers and other government employees on election duty, training schedules, law-and-order preparedness, excise arrangements and coordination at border posts.
Kundra called for district-wise assessments of expenditure, logistics and operational requirements, along with timely finalisation of movement plans and reporting formats. Officials were directed to maintain regular communication with the Secretariat and submit daily updates on nominations and other key election developments.
