SRINAGAR: Kargil shut down Tuesday and political groups in Leh threatened an agitation after Ladakh announced Dec 4 elections to its eight autonomous hill development councils, rejecting demands to avoid holding the polls during the harsh winter months.The protests came despite chief secretary Ashish Kundra describing the elections as a “watershed moment” and a turning point for democracy in the Union territory. Defending the decision, Kundra said schools would remain open until Dec 15 and there was no reason adults could not turn out to vote. He said deputy commissioners had been directed to provide heaters and other facilities at polling stations, besides separate queues for elderly voters.Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) co-chairperson Sajjad Kargili criticised the administration, saying around 25% of Ladakh’s population would be outside the region during the elections. “What we are seeing is continuous flow of orders and notifications by UT govt. We are witnessing bureaucracy raj,” he said.Kundra countered that those who had demanded an end to bureaucratic rule were opposing elections. “The elected councils will prepare next year’s budget. If the elections are delayed, they may lose valuable time in the budget preparation. The timing of the elections is very important,” he said.According to the schedule, Nov 17 is the last date for filing nominations, scrutiny will take place on Nov 18 and candidates can withdraw by 3pm on Nov 20. Polling will be held from 8am to 5pm on Dec 4, with the election process concluding on Dec 8. Panchayat and municipal elections are scheduled for Nov 21, with results also due on Dec 8.
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Of the 192 sarpanch seats, 55 have already been won unopposed. Only 212 of the 1,186 panch seats will go to the polls, with the rest also elected unopposed.The elections follow the Oct 20 notification by lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (Amendment) Regulation, 2026, promulgated by President Droupadi Murmu. It paved the way for LAHDCs in all eight districts, including newly created Sankoo. Ladakh earlier had two hill councils, one each in Leh and Kargil.