Ladakh will conduct its first major electoral exercise after the region was carved out as a separate union territory in 2019. The elections to all eight Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) are scheduled to be held on December 4 amid boycott calls and protests against holding polls in winter.
The polls are held against the backdrop of a prolonged agitation in Leh and Kargil, with political and civil society groups demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. Polling stations will be equipped with heaters, while separate queues will be arranged for elderly voters. Under these rules, a Panchayat Halqa or municipal ward cannot be split to constitute a constituency, although two or more Panchayats can be clubbed together. The administration is also examining the possibility of conducting counting for the Hill Council, municipal and Panchayat elections simultaneously.
November 17 is the last date for filing nominations, followed by scrutiny on November 18, according to the schedule announced by Ladakh administration. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until November 20. The election process will be completed by December 8.
Defending the decision to conduct elections during the winter months, Kundra said the administration would make adequate arrangements to ensure that weather conditions do not discourage voters from exercising their franchise. Deputy Commissioners have been directed to ensure necessary facilities at polling stations, he said. Kundra said the delimitation exercise had been undertaken in accordance with district population and the notified LAHDC rules. Kundra said a recommendation would be made to ensure that the outcome of one election does not influence the other.
