Arteev Sharma
Jammu, October 21: In a development amid the ongoing talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for constitutional safeguards in Ladakh, the State Election Commission (SEC) on Wednesday evening announced Panchayat polls across the Union Territory from November 21.
The process is to be completed by November 30. This is for the first time when the Panchayat elections are being held since it became a Union Territory in 2019, alongside multiple administrative changes to strengthen grassroots governance. The last Panchayat polls were held in the region during the year 2018 when it was the part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
With the announcement of the SEC, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect and the directions have been issued for its strict compliance by all the concerned.
The announcement, however, has drawn sharp criticism from leaders of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), who have questioned the timing and administrative framework of the elections, alleging that recent decisions could undermine the role of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs).
According to the election schedule issued by the Commission, the notification for the general elections, to be held on non-political lines, will be issued by the Administrator and the SEC on Monday, October 26. The last date for filing nominations is November 2, while the scrutiny of papers will take place on November 3.
Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations by November 5. The polling will be held on Saturday, November 21, and the entire election process is scheduled to be completed by November 30, 2026.
The SEC stated that Rule 7 of the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Rules, 1996 (as applicable to the UT of Ladakh) provides for calling upon the Panchayat Halqas to elect Sarpanches and Panches.
“Keeping in view the above, the State Election Commission, Ladakh, proposes to hold the next general elections to all Panchayat Halqas in the Union Territory of Ladakh as per the schedule reflected below,” the official note read.
Elaborating on the stringent guidelines issued to ensure a level playing field, Commissioner Pandey said the provisions of the MCC for the guidance of candidates and political parties will apply to these elections.
The MCC mandates that no party or candidate shall indulge in any activity which may create or aggravate differences or mutual hatred, or cause friction between people belonging to different castes and communities. It strictly prohibits the use of places of worship for election propaganda and the use of public or private property for pasting posters without written permission.
The MCC further bars political parties and candidates from using official positions or government machinery for campaigning. Ministers and authorities are prohibited from announcing financial grants, laying foundation stones or making ad-hoc appointments in government departments after the announcement of elections.
The SEC has directed public servants to maintain complete impartiality and refrain from participating in campaigning for or against any candidate or political party. It has also stressed that the MCC must be followed scrupulously and that relevant instructions issued by the Election Commission of India from time to time must be adhered to.
The stakeholders have targeted the UT administration for announcing Panchayat elections “without application of mind”.
Senior Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) leader Sajjad Kargili while talking to The News Now said, “The LAHDC is a statutory body, whereas the J&K Panchayati Raj Act, adapted to incorporate the 73rd Constitutional Amendment in October 2020, provides a constitutional framework for grassroots democracy. The LAHDC notification and now Panchayat elections are quite confusion and it will complicate the situation. The fundamental question is: How can a statutory body be placed above a constitutional framework? The question arises as who will govern whom? Every passing day, bureaucratic decisions are shrinking democratic space and silencing the people of Ladakh. Dard Badhta Gaya Joon Joon Dawa Ki”.
CheringDorjay Lakruk, Leh Apex Body (LAB) chairman said, “it is quite astonishing and confusing that they have announced Panchayat elections without taking all stakeholders on board. We were asking for Panchayat elections but they have downgraded the Hill Council as all powers have now been vested with Lieutenant Governor. They are creating Zila Parishad to overlap Hill Councils”.
Meanwhile, the administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh has ordered the dissolution and de-constitution of the erstwhile Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Kargil with immediate effect. With it Ladakh UT loses its last functioning elected local body.
According to the government order the dissolution and de-constitution of the LAHDC Kargil was ordered in view of reorganization of the administrative framkework of the Union Territory and the creation of new districts.
The move comes a day after Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) Kargil Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, three Executive Councillors and six other councillors of the erstwhile Hill Council resigned on October 20. Dr Akhoon is likely to join the BJP following the Centre’s approval of district status for the Sankoo region, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the area
A government spokesperson said that to ensure continuity in governance, prevent any administrative vacuum and maintain uninterrupted delivery of public services, the order provide that all powers, duties and functions hitherto vested in or excercised by the erstwhile LAHDC Kargil shall be vested in and administered by the deputy commissioner Kargil, on an interim basis .
“The interim arrangement shall remain in force until separate autonomous Hill development councils are fully constituted in accordance with the provisions of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils Act 1997 and the rules framed thereunder, as amended from time to time,” the spokesperson said.
Ladakh previously had two Hill Development Councils, one each in Leh and Kargil districts. In April 2026, thethe lieutenant governor’s administration notified the creation of five new districts, Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass. On October 20, the administration announced the
creation of Sankoo as the Union Territory’s eighth district, Leh, Kargil, Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar, Drass and Sankoo.
The Centre on July 13, 2026 announced the creation of new Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) in all eight districts. On October 20, the LG notified the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (Amendment) Regulation, 2026, promulgated by President Droupadi Murmu, paving the way for the establishment of councils in all eight districts.
In another major decision Wednesday, LG Ladakh V K Saxena has notified 100 elected constituencies for the eight districts of the region, with Leh comprising 22 seats, Kargil 21, Sankoo 13, Changthang 10, Nubra nine, Sham nine, Zanskar nine and Drass seven.
Officials said the number of elected constituencies will also “be the basis for the constitution of” the LAHDCs in eight districts of the region. Earlier, Ladakh had only two hill councils for Kargil and Leh districts. However, the L-G administration has created six additional districts in the region.
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena, in a post on X, said, “A historic milestone for grassroots democracy in Ladakh! Under LAHDC (Amendment) Regulation, 2026, I have officially notified 100 constituencies for the eight Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils. This almost doubles the number of councillors from the existing 52 to 100, across our newly structured councils – Leh: 22, Kargil: 21, Sankoo: 13, Changthang: 10, Nubra, Sham & Zanskar: 9 each and Drass: 7”.
He further said, “This is a rational and fair apportionment that uses panchayat halqas and municipal wards as foundational units, giving due weight to both elector population and geographical area. I am confident, the increased number of seats will significantly enhance local representation, strengthen grassroots democracy, and promote inclusive governance across every corner of Ladakh”.
Leh violence: Criminal cases against 10 withdrawn
Jammu: In a major confidence building measure (CBM), the Ladakh UkT administration has announced withdrawal of criminal cases against 10 more individuals who were allegedly involved in Leh violence that witnessed the killing of four persons in Leh on September 24 last year.
The announcement in this was made by the Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena in a post on X.
“In our continued commitment to fostering unity, healing, and lasting peace in Ladakh, I have approved the withdrawal of criminal cases against 10 individuals, linked to the unfortunate violence that erupted in Leh on September 24 last year,” the LG said.
He further said, “Approval has been granted in wake of the Ladakh police recommending withdrawal of cases against these 10 individuals. This decision ensures a positive path forward for these individuals with their careers and lives. It prioritizes justice, healing and recovery over prolonged litigation, thereby, fostering a stronger sense of peace, unity, and social harmony across the region. My sincere gratitude to Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Shri@AmitShah Ji for his sympathetic and sensitive approach, in matters pertaining to the victims and their families”.
Earlier, on September 23, Saxena approved the withdrawal of criminal cases against 20 individuals, related to the “unfortunate violence” that erupted in Leh on September 24 last year.
Withdrawal of cases had been among the key demands raised by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) during their dialogue with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
“Following a comprehensive review, the Ladakh police recommended a closure report for 20 individuals, in FIR no. 144/2005, registered at PS – Leh, under section 360 of the BNSS,” Saxena had said.
He had further said, “This decision ensures that these 20 individuals move forward positively with their lives and careers. By prioritizing justice and healing over protracted litigation, the decision aims at fostering a more peaceful, united and harmonious society in Ladakh”.
