Ladakh set to go to the polls on December 4

First major hill council elections across eight districts will reserve 36 of 100 seats for women candidates

November 10, 2026

Ladakh polls announced: 100 constituencies across 8 districts

The cold desert region of Ladakh is set to go to the polls on December 4 to elect members of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC) across 100 constituencies in eight districts.

The notification was issued on Tuesday by the UT administration and the State Election Commission, even as the Kargil Democratic Alliance had given a complete shutdown call seeking deferment of the polls, citing the winter months.

The polls will cover the cold desert region’s hill development councils, which handle local governance matters in the strategically important high-altitude territory.

In Leh, Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra informed that panchayat elections and elections to the Leh and Kargil Municipal Councils will be held on November 21, as announced by the respective electoral authorities. Elections to all eight LAHDCs, covering 100 constituencies across Ladakh, will be held on December 4.

Following the creation of eight districts from the erstwhile two districts, the number of LAHDC constituencies has increased from 26 each in Leh and Kargil to 100 for the whole of Ladakh.

The delimitation exercise was undertaken in accordance with the prescribed rules, taking into account population and the existing Panchayat Halqas and Municipal wards.

Election schedule

As per the LAHDC election schedule, November 17 is the last date for filing nominations, November 18 for scrutiny, and November 20 for withdrawal of candidature. The entire election process is scheduled to be completed before December 8.

Sharing the election figures, the Chief Secretary informed that out of 192 Panchayat Halqas, 55 Sarpanches have been elected unopposed, while elections will be held for the remaining 137 seats.

Similarly, 1,186 Panch candidates have been elected unopposed out of 1,428. In the Leh Municipal Council, elections will be held in all 21 wards, while four out of 17 wards in the Kargil Municipal Council have elected representatives unopposed.

36 out of 100 seats reserved for women candidates

The Chief Secretary also highlighted that, for the first time, 36 out of the 100 LAHDC seats have been reserved for women, marking a significant step towards strengthening women’s representation in grassroots democratic institutions.

Kargil witnessed complete shutdown on Tuesday

Kargil region in Ladakh on Tuesday observed a complete shutdown, demanding that the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) elections being held in winter months be deferred and the recently concluded delimitation exercise be reviewed.

Shops and business establishments remained closed, and traffic remained thin on roads across Kargil. Security was strengthened with additional deployment of police personnel in various areas as a precautionary measure.

Representatives of various political and religious organisations, trade bodies and civil society groups under the banner of Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Monday announced the shutdown and a candlelight “Save Democracy” march against the proposed timing of the hill council elections, delimitation irregularities and “erosion of democratic rights” in the Union territory.

Ladakh Lok Sabha member Mohmad Haneefa also wrote a letter to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on the matter.

Haneefa said Ladakh’s unique geographical and weather conditions, particularly in Kargil and Leh districts, posed serious challenges to voters during winter.

He pointed out that heavy snowfall, sub-zero temperatures, closure of key roads, and frequent disruptions in transport and communication could make it difficult for residents of remote and far-flung areas to reach polling stations. Expressing concern over the limited time available for revision of electoral rolls, he said sufficient opportunity must be provided to eligible citizens to register themselves and verify their particulars.

The MP urged the LG to defer the elections until winter-related difficulties subside, ensure a comprehensive and transparent revision of electoral rolls and consult elected representatives, political parties and other stakeholders before finalising the election schedule.

KDA co-chairman Sajjad Kargili, accompanied by Ladakh MP Haji Hanifa Jan and civil society representatives, said the shutdown would continue till 5 pm, with essential services, including medical facilities, water supply, and school buses, exempted.

Leh Apex Body chairman Chering Dorjay also demanded postponement of the LAHDC elections till April-May and a review of the delimitation exercise to ensure proper representation of constituencies.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

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