Schedule for eight Ladakh hill council elections announced, polling on December 4

The Ladakh Administration has announced the schedule for upcoming elections to the eight Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs), with polling set to take place on December 4. The announcement came amid opposition from various groups in Ladakh, particularly in Kargil, who observed a complete shutdown on Tuesday, November 10, in protest against holding the LAHDC elections during the winter season.

Several organizations, including the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, have called for the postponement of the polls until after the winter season.

The State Election Commission has notified 100 elected constituencies for the eight districts of Ladakh. The last date for filing nomination papers is November 17, followed by the scrutiny of nomination papers on November 18 at the offices of the respective Returning Officers. Candidates can withdraw their candidature by November 20, with the deadline set for 3 p.m. The polling is scheduled to be held between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on December 4, with the entire election process expected to be completed by December 8.

The Ladakh Administration has also dissolved the hill council in Kargil and announced panchayat elections on November 21. The notification issued by the State Election Commission outlines the election process, starting with the filing of nominations and concluding with the completion of the election process by December 8.