Ladakh calls elections for upper assembly but fails to pacify protesting civil society groups

The Ladakh administration’s move on Tuesday (Nov 10, 2026) to call for high council elections in the Union Territory in addition to panchayat and municipal elections, failed to assuage growing concerns over the Centre’s handling of the region, which has witnessed frequent protests over demands for statehood and Sixth Plan status.

The announcement came even as a shutdown was observed in Kargil to protest the timing of the elections in view of harsh winter conditions in the region.

“Elections to all eight Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) covering 100 constituencies across Ladakh will be held on December 4. With the creation of eight constituencies from the earlier two constituencies of Kargil and Leh, the number of LAHDC constituencies has increased from 26 each in Ladakh Leh and Kargil to 100,” Minister Chi Ashdakhef said in a statement.

“Hill councils to retain existing powers”

He said 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 to be completed by December 8,” he added.

“For the first time, 36 out of 100 LAHC seats have been reserved for women, marking a significant step towards strengthening women’s representation in grassroots democratic institutions,” Kundra said. Putting to rest all speculations, Mr. Kundra clarified that the newly elected LAHDC “would retain all the powers vested in them under the existing law”.

Also Read: President announces LAHDC ordinance, paves way for hill council polls in all eight districts of Ladakh

An outcry against winter surveys

Mr. Kundra’s announcement of the upper assembly elections coincided with a shutdown in Kargil to protest delimitation and demands that panchayat and municipal elections be postponed until next year due to the approaching winter in the region.

“Protests and shutdowns are symbolic. People in a democracy have the right to express themselves through such protests,” Kundra said.

The call for a halt was issued by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), a socio-political-religious group that is holding talks with the Union government on statehood and Sixth Plan demands. However, the process hit a wall on October 22 after the Center decided not to resume talks with the KDA and the Leh Apex Body (LAB) for unknown reasons.

“Our protest is against the administration’s attempt to impose a decision unilaterally and ignoring public concerns about the delimitation and proposed timing of elections,” said Sajjad Kargili, co-chairman of the KDA. The shutdown call affected daily life in Kargil and its adjoining districts, with markets and offices remaining closed and traffic on the roads sparse.

Postpone panchayat, municipal elections to April-May next year: Ladakh group

“Festival of Democracy”

On delimitation concerns, Mr. Kundra said, “The delimitation exercise was done as per the prescribed rules, keeping in mind the population and the existing Panchayat Halqas and Municipal Wards.

Early establishment of mountain councils was “essential”, he said, adding: “The newly elected LAHDCs would have January, February and March to prepare the budget for the next financial year.

Mr. Kundra also defended the procedure of holding elections in winter. “December 15 is the last day of school in Ladakh. The elections to be held on December 4 are a festival of democracy. People should participate in it like any other festival. Adequate facilities will be provided in the polling booths, including heating and separate queues for senior citizens. People, especially youth, women, senior citizens, religious organizations and civil servants should actively participate in their right to vote.

The ‘middle way’ on liquor

The Ladakh Chief Secretary said that out of 192 panchayat halqas, 55 sarpanches were elected unopposed, while elections will be held for the remaining 137 seats. Also, 1,186 candidates out of 1,428 were elected unopposed. In Leh Municipal Council, elections will be held in all 21 wards, with four out of 17 wards in Kargil Municipal Council electing their representatives unopposed. The municipal and panchayat elections are scheduled for November 21.

On the concerns raised about the liberal excise duty policy, Mr. Kundra cited the teachings of Lord Buddha and the “principle of the middle path”. “We are aware of the religious sensitivities of the region and the interests of Ladakh as a tourist destination,” Mr Kundra said after recent protests by women residents against allowing new alcohol outlets in the region.

Asked about the stalled talks between the Union government and civil society groups in Ladakh, Mr Kundra said the Indian government and the Ladakh administration were “committed to strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring their early establishment”.

‘delay tactics’

Meanwhile, LAB co-chairman Tsering Dorjey Lakrook has called for a strike from November 12 over the centre’s failure to keep its word. “The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) promised to hold a sub-committee meeting on October 22, which never happened. It shows that the Center was not sincere and used delaying tactics,” he said.

Mr. Lakrook also highlighted the delay in releasing the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the violence against protesters in Leh on September 24, 2025, which left four dead and around 80 injured. “Justice should be served to the martyrs and grievously injured in indiscriminate police firing,” he said and also demanded the withdrawal of the liquor policy.

Mr. Lakrook supported the move to hold panchayat and municipal elections. “It will empower people at the grassroots level,” he said. However, he said it was not a good idea to hold LAHDC elections in December, given the harsh winter conditions in the region. “Most people, especially students and elderly people, from Ladakh will not be present,” he said.

Published – 10 Nov 2026 15:55 IST