Leh, Nov. 10 -- The Ladakh Administration on Tuesday announced December 4 as the date for elections to the eight Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs), even as Kargil observed a complete shutdown to protest the decision to hold the polls during winter and demand a review of the delimitation exercise.
The shutdown was called by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which has joined several groups, including the Leh Apex Body, in seeking postponement of the elections until after winter. Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was thin on roads across Kargil. Additional police personnel were deployed in various areas as a precautionary measure.
According to a notification issued by the State Election Commission, Ladakh, the election process will begin with the filing of nominations. The last date for submitting nomination papers is November 17, while scrutiny will take place on November 18 at the offices of the respective Returning Officers.
Candidates can withdraw their nominations by November 20, with 3 pm fixed as the deadline. Polling, if required, will be held on December 4 between 8 am and 5 pm. The entire election process is scheduled to be completed by December 8.
The schedule follows a notification issued by the Ladakh Administration's Revenue Department, calling upon all 100 constituencies across the eight LAHDCs in the Union territory to constitute new councils. Ladakh is also scheduled to hold panchayat and municipal elections on November 21.
The KDA had announced the shutdown and a candlelight march under the banner of 'Save Democracy' on Monday, protesting the proposed timing of the hill council elections, alleged irregularities in delimitation and what it described as the erosion of democratic rights in the Union territory.
KDA co-chairman Sajjad Kargili, accompanied by Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa and civil society representatives, said the shutdown would continue until 5 pm. Essential services, including medical facilities, water supply and school buses, were exempted. The alliance accused the administration of taking unilateral decisions and ignoring public concerns.
Haneefa had written to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Saturday, urging him to defer the elections until winter-related difficulties subside. He said heavy snowfall, sub-zero temperatures, closure of key roads and disruptions in transport and communication could prevent residents of remote areas from reaching polling stations.
He also pointed to the seasonal migration of thousands of residents, including senior citizens, traders, businesspersons and students, to warmer regions, besides students remaining outside Ladakh for higher education and competitive examinations.
Highlighting logistical challenges in Drass, Zanskar and Changthang, the MP sought a comprehensive and transparent revision of electoral rolls, adequate time for voters to verify their particulars and consultations with elected representatives, political parties and other stakeholders.
Leh Apex Body chairman Chering Dorjay has also demanded that
the polls be deferred
until April-May and the delimitation exercise reviewed. The administration has completed delimitation of 100 constituencies across Ladakh's eight districts and approved 33 per cent reservation for women. The final electoral rolls are due on November 10.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.