Ladakh’s State Election Commission has announced panchayat elections for all panchayat halqas in the Union Territory on November 21, 2026, while the administration has dissolved the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, with immediate effect. The decisions came as Ladakh reorganises its local governance structure across eight districts.
The election schedule brings the Model Code of Conduct into force immediately. The State Election Commission said polling would be held on November 21, with nominations closing on November 2. The elections will cover all panchayat halqas in Ladakh.
The administration separately ordered the dissolution and de-constitution of the erstwhile LAHDC Kargil. The move followed the resignation on October 20 of chief executive councillor Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, three executive councillors and six other councillors.
According to the government order, the deputy commissioner of Kargil will temporarily exercise the powers, duties and functions previously vested in the council. A government spokesperson said the interim arrangement was intended to prevent an administrative vacuum, ensure continuity in governance and maintain uninterrupted delivery of public services.
The arrangement will remain in place until separate Autonomous Hill Development Councils are fully constituted under the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils Act, 1997, and its rules, as amended. Ladakh previously had two hill development councils, one each in Leh and Kargil.
The governance changes follow the creation of new districts in the Union Territory. In April 2026, the lieutenant governor’s administration notified five new districts: Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass. On October 20, Sankoo was announced as Ladakh’s eighth district.
The Centre had announced on July 13 the creation of new LAHDCs in all eight districts. The lieutenant governor notified the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (Amendment) Regulation, 2026, on October 20. The regulation, promulgated by President Droupadi Murmu, provides the legal framework for establishing councils in Leh, Kargil, Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar, Drass and Sankoo.
Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena also announced the allocation of 100 constituencies for the eight councils. The number of councillors will rise from the existing 52 to 100. The notified distribution is 22 seats for Leh, 21 for Kargil, 13 for Sankoo, 10 for Changthang, nine each for Nubra, Sham and Zanskar, and seven for Drass.
Saxena said the apportionment used panchayat halqas and municipal wards as foundational units, while considering elector population and geographical area. He said the increased number of seats would strengthen local representation and grassroots governance across Ladakh.
The dissolution of the Kargil council means Ladakh no longer has a functioning elected local body until the new institutional framework is established. In the immediate term, administration of Kargil’s council functions rests with the deputy commissioner, while the announced panchayat election schedule sets the first major electoral milestone in the transition.
