From The Hindu · Peerzada Ashiq · · 2m
Ladakh dissolves Kargil hill council, sets panchayat elections
The Ladakh administration dissolved the Kargil hill council and announced panchayat elections for November 21, expanding local governance across eight districts.
In brief
The Ladakh administration dissolved the Kargil hill council and announced panchayat elections for November 21, expanding local governance across eight districts. Ladakh's administration dissolved the Kargil hill council and announced panchayat elections for November 21, expanding elected constituencies from 52 to 100…
Kargil council dissolved, elections set
The Ladakh administration dissolved the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Kargil on October 21, 2026, and announced panchayat elections for November 21, 2026.
Nominations close November 2
The Ladakh State Election Commission proposed holding panchayat general elections across all panchayat halqas on November 21, 2026. Nominations will close on November 2.
Model Code of Conduct in force
A Model Code of Conduct came into force with immediate effect following the dissolution announcement and the election schedule.
Constituencies notified for eight districts
The administration notified 100 elected constituencies across eight districts: Leh 22, Kargil 21, Sankoo 13, Changthang 10, Nubra 9, Sham 9, Zanskar 9, Drass 7.
Councillor seats nearly double
The number of elected constituencies will form the basis for constituting LAHDCs in eight districts. This nearly doubles councillors from the existing 52 to 100 across Ladakh.
Saxena calls it historic milestone
Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena termed the election announcement a historic milestone for grassroots democracy in Ladakh, saying increased seats will enhance local representation.
“a historic milestone for grassroots democracy in Ladakh”
Kargil council's previous composition
The dissolved Kargil council was elected in 2023 and would have completed five years in 2028. The National Conference-Congress alliance won 24 seats, BJP won 2, and Independents won 2.
KDA questions statutory body authority
Kargil Democratic Alliance member Sajjad Kargilli said the LAHDC is statutory while panchayati raj is constitutional. He argued bureaucratic decisions are shrinking democratic space in Ladakh.
“How can a statutory body be placed above a constitutional framework?”
Expansion follows district reorganisation
Ladakh previously had only two hill councils for Kargil and Leh. The administration created six additional districts, prompting the reorganisation and expansion of local governance structures.
Moves come amid statehood talks
The developments came as the Centre held talks with Ladakh representatives over demands for Statehood and Sixth Schedule status. The next round was scheduled for October 22 in New Delhi.
The short version
Ladakh's administration dissolved the Kargil hill council and announced panchayat elections for November 21, expanding elected constituencies from 52 to 100 across eight districts.
