Kargil, Nov 10 (IANS) Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir observed a complete shutdown on Tuesday against the administration’s decision to hold the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) election in December.
A complete shutdown was observed as shops and other business establishments remained closed today following a call by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), demanding postponement of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) elections scheduled during winter and a review of the recently completed delimitation exercise.
Traffic was also thin on roads across the region. Additional police personnel were deployed in several areas as a precautionary measure.
The shutdown was called by the KDA, an alliance of political and religious organisations, trade bodies and civil society groups, which also announced a candlelight march under the banner of ‘Save Democracy’ in the evening.
KDA co-chairman Sajjad Kargili, accompanied by Ladakh MP Haji Haneefa Jan and civil society representatives, said the shutdown would continue till the evening today, with essential services, including medical facilities, water supply and school buses, exempted.
Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa has also urged Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to defer the elections, citing harsh winter conditions, snowfall, road closures and transport disruptions that could prevent residents of remote areas from reaching polling stations.
Meanwhile, Leh Apex Body chairman Chering Dorjay demanded that the elections be postponed until April-May and called for a review of the delimitation exercise. He demanded comprehensive revision of electoral rolls and consultations with elected representatives, political parties and other stakeholders before finalising the election schedule.
The administration has completed delimitation of 100 constituencies across Ladakh’s eight districts and approved 33 per cent reservation for women.
The administration today notified elections for all the eight LAHDCs today. Exercising powers under Section 4(2) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils Act, 1997, read with Rule 4 of the LAHDC (Election) Rules, 2026, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh has directed all constituencies within the Union Territory to elect members for the formation of the new councils.
The last date for filing nominations has been fixed on November 17, scrutiny of nominations is on November 18, and the date of withdrawal of nominations is November 20.
Polling is scheduled for December 4 between 8 am and 5 pm, and the entire poll process will be completed by December 8, 2026.
–IANS
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