India, Oct. 22 -- Local body elections in Jammu and Kashmir are expected to take place at an "appropriate time," but the State Election Commission in Ladakh has decided to go ahead and conduct Panchayat Polls in the cold desert region from November 21, 2026.

State Election Commissioner Sudhanshu Pandey announced the schedule on Wednesday, with polling fixed for November 21 and the entire process, including results, to be completed by November 30.

Notifications will be issued by the Administrator and the SEC on October 26, nominations close on November 2, scrutiny is set for November 3, and withdrawals are allowed until November 5. The Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect. These will be Ladakh's first panchayat...