Voting is currently underway for the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) elections in Kargil, marking a significant event as the region’s first major polls after the revocation of Article 370, which granted special status to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. The polling process is being closely monitored, with stringent security measures in place to ensure fair and transparent elections. Out of the 278 stations, 114 are categorized as hyper-sensitive and 99 as sensitive polling stations. Law enforcement agencies have strategically deployed personnel, according to Shrikant Balasaheb Suse, Deputy Commissioner of Kargil.
Campaigning for these crucial elections concluded on Monday. Reports from news agency PTI suggest that a triangular contest is anticipated in most of the 26 seats up for grabs.
Vote counting is scheduled for October 8, and the new council is expected to be operational before October 11. The previous council, led by Feroz Ahmad Khan of the National Conference, completed its five-year term on October 1.
A total of 95,388 eligible voters, including 46,762 women, are participating in the electoral process from 8 am to 4 pm today to determine the fate of 85 candidates vying for the 26 seats in the 30-member Hill Council. Additionally, four councillors with voting rights will be nominated by the administration.
