Ladakh government moves to launch panchayat elections to plug democratic gap

A day after Ladakh representatives met with Ministry of Home Affairs officials, the Ladakh administration declared that it will recommend the Election Commission to commence panchayat elections, with a fresh revision of voter lists before any formal notice. Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra explained that the only elected institution at present is the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil, while elections in Leh were suspended after the Sept 24 violence that left four dead.

He emphasized the government's commitment to fulfill constitutional duties by first holding panchayat polls, then establishing district councils across all seven districts. Discussions with the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance were described as open, with local leaders also pressing for a legislative assembly and the dropping of cases linked to the previous unrest. Kundra mentioned a proposal for a sui generis UT-level body, which would require a constitutional amendment and take time to materialise. The steps are intended to prevent a democratic vacuum in the region.