In a significant electoral outcome, the counting of votes for the fifth general elections to 26 seats out of the 30-member Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) in Kargil is currently in progress under tight security measures. The election results reveal the Congress emerging as the leading party, securing seven seats, followed by the National Conference (NC) with five seats, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clinching two constituencies.
A candidate, Gyan, expressed optimism about the results, stating, “District administration has made good security arrangements. We are hoping that our candidate will win.”
Security in the vicinity of the counting center has been heightened to ensure smooth proceedings. Officials have observed the presence of candidates from various political parties at the counting center, anxiously awaiting the results.
The elections for the fifth LAHDC Kargil took place on October 4, 2023, with an impressive voter turnout of 77.61%, with voters utilizing electronic voting machines (EVMs) to determine the fate of 85 candidates contesting in the elections.
Notably, this election holds particular significance as it marks the first local poll in Ladakh following its transition into a union territory in August 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370. The newly elected council is slated to take office before October 11.
The Ladakh administration rescheduled the LAHDC Kargil elections after the Supreme Court’s directive, which reinstated the National Conference’s party symbol and nullified the previous election notification due to the inability of NC candidates to file nominations.
This electoral development underscores the evolving political landscape in Ladakh and serves as a notable step in the region’s governance under its new union territory status.
