Govt announces panchayat poll process in Ladakh to fill ‘democratic vacuum'

On the same day that representatives from Ladakh met with officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ladakh administration revealed their plans to tackle the democratic deficit in the region. Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra informed the media that the government intended to recommend the Election Commission of India to initiate the panchayat election process. Kundra explained that this would involve a review of electoral rolls before the issuance of a formal notification.

Presently, only the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil has an elected body. Elections to the corresponding Leh entity were canceled following the September 24 violence, in which four individuals were killed after police allegedly opened fire on protesters demanding Sixth Schedule protection and statehood for the region.

Kundra emphasized that the central government had made it clear that all measures to bolster democracy in Ladakh should be taken to ensure that the populace does not feel their democratic aspirations are unfulfilled.

Kundra highlighted that the immediate focus would be on conducting panchayat elections, which would subsequently be followed by the establishment of district councils in all seven districts of Ladakh. The chief secretary also discussed the outcome of the MHA officials' meeting with the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance held on Wednesday.

He stated that the discussions took place in an open atmosphere, with Ladakh representatives advocating for a legislative assembly headed by a chief minister and the withdrawal of cases against all those booked in connection with the September 24 violence.

Kundra mentioned that a consensus emerged during the meeting held on July 3 that a UT-level body would be formed, which would be unique in the Indian context as it would have no precedent elsewhere in the country. However, he clarified that forming this proposed body would require a constitutional amendment. Kundra noted that creating a democratic vacuum in Ladakh was undesirable, hence the decision to initiate the strengthening of existing democratic institutions.