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3h ago

Ladakh Administration Sets December 4 Date for Hill Council Elections

The decision heightens a clash with local groups who say winter conditions combined with a contested 100‑seat delimitation risk voter disenfranchisement.

Ladakh chief secretary Ashish Kundra said that the council polls were a step towards deepening democracy,
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Three prominent bodies — the Ladakh Nambardar Association, Ladakh Gompa Association and Ladakh Buddhist Association — said people in Ladakh will not participate in the panchayat and local body polls.
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Overview

  • The administration formally announced the LAHDC electoral calendar on Tuesday, Nov. 10, setting nominations to close on November 17 and polling for the eight hill councils on December 4.
  • The State Election Commission timetable fixes scrutiny on November 18, withdrawal on November 20, and requires the entire process to finish by December 8.
  • Kargil observed a shutdown on November 10 and leaders in Leh have called a boycott, arguing that heavy snowfall, sub‑zero temperatures and seasonal migration of roughly a quarter of residents will prevent many voters from reaching polling stations.
  • Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra defended the schedule, saying timely councils are needed to prepare budgets and that officials will provide heaters, separate queues for seniors and other arrangements to help voters.
  • The administration expanded councils to 100 constituencies with about one‑third reservation for women, a delimitation opponents call gerrymandering, and the dispute risks prolonging protests and undermining turnout and perceived legitimacy of the new bodies.