Leh, Oct 21 (KNO): The State Election Commission of Ladakh on Wednesday announced that elections to all Panchayat Halqas in the Union Territory will be held on November 21.
According to the schedule issued by State Election Commissioner Sudhanshu Pandey, a copy of which is in possession of news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the notification for the elections will be issued jointly by the UT administration and the State Election Commission on October 26.
As per the schedule, the last date for filing nominations is November 2, while scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on November 3. Candidates can withdraw their nominations till November 5.
The Commission said voting will take place on November 21, and the election process will be completed by November 30.
It added that the Model Code of Conduct for candidates and political parties has come into force with immediate effect and will remain applicable throughout the election process.
The Commission has directed all concerned to strictly adhere to the Model Code of Conduct and subsequent instructions issued in connection with the elections.
The last general elections to Panchayat Halqas in Ladakh were held in November 2018.
Meanwhile, the administration of the Union Territory has ordered the dissolution and de‑constitution of the erstwhile Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, with immediate effect, citing the reorganisation of the administrative framework of the Union Territory and the creation of new districts.
The order cites the resignation of the Chief Executive Councillor, three Executive Councillors, and six other Councillors of the erstwhile LAHDC Kargil on October 20, 2026, as well as the reorganisation of the territorial boundaries of the erstwhile Kargil District following the creation of new districts, including Drass, Zanskar, and Sankoo.
As per the order, the erstwhile LAHDC Kargil stands dissolved and de‑constituted with immediate effect. The Chief Executive Councillor, Executive Councillors, and all elected or nominated members of the erstwhile Council shall cease to hold office and exercise powers as members of the said Council.
The order further provides that all powers, duties, and functions hitherto vested in or exercised by the erstwhile LAHDC Kargil shall be vested in and administered by the Deputy Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer, Kargil, on an interim basis.
The administration of the UT has also notified the number of elected constituencies for the constitution of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils across all eight districts.
According to the notification, Leh district will have 22 seats, Kargil 21, Sankoo 13, Changthang 10, Nubra, Sham, and Zanskar nine seats each, and Drass seven seats, bringing the total to 100 elected constituencies across Ladakh—(KNO)