Srinagar, Oct 21 : 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 as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) 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.
The SEC stated that Rule 7 of the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Rules, 1996 (as applicable to the UT of Ladakh) provides for calling upon the Panchayat Halqas to elect Sarpanches and Panches.
“Keeping in view the above, the State Election Commission, Ladakh, proposes to hold the next general elections to all Panchayat Halqas in the Union Territory of Ladakh as per the schedule reflected below,” the official note read.
Elaborating on the stringent guidelines issued to ensure a level playing field, Commissioner Pandey as per KNS said the provisions of the MCC for the guidance of candidates and political parties will apply to these elections.
The MCC mandates that no party or candidate shall indulge in any activity which may create or aggravate differences or mutual hatred, or cause friction between people belonging to different castes and communities. It strictly prohibits the use of places of worship for election propaganda and the use of public or private property for pasting posters without written permission.
Furthermore, the code explicitly restricts political parties and candidates from using their official position or government machinery for election campaigning. Ministers and authorities have been barred from announcing financial grants, laying foundation stones, or making ad-hoc appointments in government departments from the time elections are announced.
The SEC also directed all public servants to remain absolutely impartial during the elections and strictly refrain from indulging in any campaign activity for or against any contesting candidate or political party.
The Commission warned that the Model Code of Conduct needs to be followed scrupulously by all concerned and that instructions issued by the Election Commission of India on the subject from time to time shall also be followed. (KNS)
