JAMMU: While the term of LAHDC Leh ended on October 30, 2025, the term of LAHDC Kargil was scheduled to continue till October 2028.
In a major development, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, the only elected body surviving in the Union Territory has been dissolved to clear the way for elections to eight hill councils. LAHDC Kargil was headed by CEC Dr Mohammad Jaffar Akhoon.
The Administration of the UT of Ladakh has ordered the dissolution and de-constitution of the erstwhile Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, with immediate effect. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has done so apparently in view of the reorganisation of the administrative framework of the UT and the creation of new districts.
Incidentally, while there were only two districts in Ladakh earlier, Leh and Kargil, the number of districts now stands at eight. In what was Kargil district once, there are instead three more districts of Drass, Zanskar and the newly minted Sankhoo.
The order takes into consideration the resignation of the Chief Executive Councillor, three Executive Councillors and six other Councillors of the erstwhile LAHDC Kargil on October 20, 2026. It also takes into account the reorganisation of the territorial boundaries of the erstwhile Kargil district following the creation of new districts, including Drass, Zanskar and Sankoo.
As per the order issued by the UT Administration, the Chief Executive Councillor, Executive Councillors and all elected or nominated members of the erstwhile Council shall cease to hold office and exercise powers as members of the Council with immediate effect. To ensure continuity in governance, prevent an administrative vacuum and maintain the uninterrupted delivery of public services, all powers, duties and functions previously exercised by the erstwhile LAHDC Kargil shall be vested in and administered by the Deputy Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer, Kargil, on an interim basis.
The interim arrangement shall remain in force until separate Autonomous Hill Development Councils are fully constituted in accordance with the provisions of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils Act, 1997, and the rules framed thereunder, as amended from time to time.
The move comes days after LG VK Saxena notified the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (Amendment) Regulation, 2026, promulgated by President Droupadi Murmu. The notification supersedes all previous notifications regarding constitution of hill councils. On October 16, the administration had also notified Sankoo as the eighth district of Ladakh and constituted LAHDC Sankoo under Section 3(1) of the LAHDC Act. Its creation automatically alters the jurisdiction of LAHDC Kargil.
While the term of LAHDC Leh ended on October 30, 2025, the term of LAHDC Kargil was scheduled to continue till October 2028. Sources said the latest notification, which supersedes all earlier notifications, effectively brings the existing arrangement to an end, though there was no separate official clarification on the remaining tenure.
According to officials, the UT administration proposes to conduct delimitation for all eight hill councils simultaneously, followed by elections. The elections cannot be held till April-May next year due to weather conditions, and the administration plans to hold Panchayat elections first.
A day earlier, on Tuesday, LG Saxena had notified the LAHDC (Amendment) Regulation, 2026, with effect from October 19, paving the way for the creation of autonomous hill development councils in all eight districts of the UT, including the newly created Sankoo district.
The amended regulation rationalises the number of constituencies in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs), replacing the earlier provision of 26 seats in each council with a minimum of seven and a maximum of 24 seats.
It also provides for the nomination of four members from women and unrepresented communities to promote inclusivity and broaden participation in local governance.
Saxena said the regulation would strengthen grassroots democracy, enhance local representation and promote inclusive governance across Ladakh.
The State Election Commission (SEC) of Ladakh on Wednesday announced that general elections to all Panchayat Halqas in the Union Territory will be held on November 21, 2026, asserting that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into force with immediate effect.
Addressing a press conference here, State Election Commissioner Sudhanshu Pandey said the decision to hold fresh elections was necessitated as the last general elections to the Panchayat Halqas in Ladakh were held in November 2018, and new bodies are required to be constituted.
According to the election schedule issued by the Commission, the notification for the general elections will be issued by the Administrator and the SEC on Monday, October 26. The last date for filing nominations is November 2, while the scrutiny of papers will take place on November 3.
Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations by November 5. The polling will be held on Saturday, November 21, and the entire election process is scheduled to be completed by November 30, 2026.
