Image source: Anayat Ali
For the first time, major elections are going to be held in Ladakh after being separated from Jammu and Kashmir and becoming a Union Territory. After the announcement of Hill Council elections, tension has increased in the border area.
In protest against these elections, Leh Apex Body (LAB) has started an indefinite strike at Nangwang Dorje Stobdan Park in the capital Leh.
At the beginning of this week, on the appeal of Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), a complete shutdown was observed in Kargil district.
Both the organizations are demanding to provide constitutional security to Ladakh and restoration of democratic institutions. But his talks with the Union Home Ministry came to a halt last month.
Why are organizations demanding postponement of elections?
Both the organizations have appealed to the administration to postpone the elections. They say that winter has started and some people from the cold desert area are moving to other places.
In December, the temperature at some places drops to minus 20 degrees.
LAB co-chairman Charing Dorje Lakruk spoke to the BBC while visiting the protest site.
He claimed that due to the severe cold, at least 25 percent of the population of Ladakh has gone to Kashmir and other parts of the country.
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He alleged, "Instead of resuming talks, the government wants to hold elections in a hurry. If the people will not participate in the elections, then what is the point of such elections?"
LAB says, "The government is doing this because it knows that people will not vote for them. This is a clear case of election manipulation."
Lok Sabha MP from Ladakh, Haji Mohammad Hanifa Jaan has also demanded postponement of the hill council elections.
Administrative ban on Sonam Wangchuk
Image source: Sanjeev Verma/Hindustan Times via Getty Images
Meanwhile, the Leh District Magistrate has also imposed sanctions on climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Defense Code.
In the order issued on November 11, Wangchuk has been asked to refrain from organizing or participating in any unauthorized rally, procession or public meeting.
The order states that they will have to refrain from any activity that is likely to disturb public peace or create obstruction in the ongoing electoral process.
However, Wangchuk has questioned the administration's action, alleging that he is being prevented from raising his voice on Ladakh issues and his democratic rights are being limited.
Why are elections being held in Ladakh?
Image source, ANI
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Earlier in Ladakh, two Autonomous Hill Councils functioned in Leh and Kargil districts. There were 26 constituencies each in both the councils. In 2019, after Ladakh was separated from Jammu and Kashmir and made a Union Territory without an assembly, some of the powers of these councils were reduced.
The five-year tenure of Leh Hill Council ended on 31 October 2025. At the same time, Kargil Hill Council was prematurely dissolved last month after the resignation of some important councilors.
The work of determining the boundaries of election constituencies was going on in Ladakh. Its notification was issued on 5 November. Under this, six new districts have been created in Ladakh, taking the total number of districts to eight. At the same time, the number of constituencies has increased to 100.
After this process of determining the limits, the way for holding elections has also been cleared.
The election code of conduct came into force as soon as the schedule for Panchayat and Municipal Council elections was announced on October 26. These elections will be held on 21 November.
Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra said in a statement, "Out of a total of 192 panchayat circles, 55 sarpanches have been elected without contest, while elections will be held on the remaining 137 seats. Similarly, out of 1428 panch candidates, 1186 have been elected without contest."
The last date for filing nominations for Pahari Parishad elections is 17 November 2026. Nomination papers will be scrutinized on 18th November and candidates will be able to withdraw their names on 20th November.
Chief Secretary Kundra said, "The entire election process will be completed before December 8." He called it "an important step towards strengthening democratic institutions."
BJP has also supported the elections and appealed to the people to "participate enthusiastically" in it.
Talks stalled, organizations stand firm on demands
The announcement of Pahari Parishad elections has come at a time when talks between the joint organization of LAB and KDA and the Union Home Ministry have been stalled since October 22. This has further increased the political uncertainty in Ladakh.
Both the organizations have alleged that the high level committee of the Home Ministry is going back on its earlier promises. At the same time, they stand firm on the demand for full statehood to Ladakh and other constitutional protections including its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule.
Senior KDA member Sajjad Kargili raised questions on the delimitation process and said that adequate consultation was not done with the concerned parties and local people before preparing the new electoral map of Ladakh.
He said that for this reason the organization is demanding the formation of an independent delimitation commission. He told that KDA has supported the indefinite strike of LAB.
Many big social and religious organizations including Ladakh Gompa Association and Anjuman Imamia have also supported LAB's strike.
Kargili said that LAB and KDA are also demanding resumption of talks and withdrawal of the new liquor policy.
Chief Secretary Kundra, citing the election code of conduct, said in his statement that the liquor policy will be reviewed "after the elections are over, after extensive discussions with the people."
Citing the Model Code of Conduct, Chief Secretary Kundra has said that the liquor policy will be reviewed through extensive discussions after the elections are over.
However, there was no mention in his statement about resuming talks with the central government.
Demand for justice for last year's violence victims
Leh Apex Body co-chairman Charing Dorje Lakruk has accused the central government and the Ladakh administration of failing to provide justice to the victims of the violence in Leh last year.
At least five people were reportedly killed in firing during clashes between protesters and security forces on September 24, while several others were injured.
Retired army soldier Tsewang Tharchin was also among the five civilians killed last year. His son Mepham Khasdup released a video on 12 November. In it he demanded justice for his father and punishment for those responsible for his "painful death".
He said, "We have not seen the judicial commission report. I want strict punishment for those who ordered the firing. My father sacrificed his life for Ladakh. We want justice and security for Ladakh."
Published by Collective Newsroom for the BBC.
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