Ladakh Administration Sets December Elections Amid Protests and Bans

The Ladakh Administration has scheduled elections for the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) for December 4, 2026, with Panchayat and Municipal Council polling set for November 21. For the first time, 36 of the 100 LAHDC seats are reserved for women. Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra defended the timing, stating that the December date is necessary for newly elected councils to prepare budgets before the March deadline.

The schedule has triggered widespread opposition. The Kargil Democratic Alliance organized a complete shutdown in Kargil, while the Ladakh Buddhist Association and other groups announced boycotts over delimitation grievances. Member of Parliament Mohmad Haneefa Jan urged a postponement until spring 2027, citing seasonal migration and temperatures as low as -25°C.

In response to the unrest, Chief Electoral Officer Rahul Sharma banned all political protests, rallies, and hunger strikes in Leh and Kargil for the duration of the Model Code of Conduct. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk warned of intense agitations, appealing to national leaders to intervene and criticizing the administration for proceeding with polls while a judicial inquiry into a September firing incident remains unresolved. The administration confirmed that talks between the Ministry of Home Affairs and representative groups will only resume after the electoral process concludes.