Leh, Kargil municipal elections on November 21 after 8-year gap

After nearly eight years, voters in Leh and Kargil will return to the ballot box to elect their municipal representatives, with the Ladakh election authorities scheduling polling for November 21.

The last municipal elections in the two towns were held in September 2018. According to the schedule announced by Chief Electoral Officer Rahul Sharma, the nomination process will begin with the issuance of the election notification on October 29, while the entire election process is to be completed by November 30.

The Model Code of Conduct shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain in force until the completion of the election process. All political parties, contesting candidates and concerned authorities are required to adhere strictly to the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and the instructions issued by the competent authority from time to time, the notification said.

A notification issued by the CEO on Friday said “In pursuance of the provisions of Section 282 of the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000, read with the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Committee (Election) Rules, 2003, the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls, determination of wards, reservation and allotment of seats by formation, and the conduct of all elections to Municipalities shall vest in the Chief Electoral Officer.”

“The electoral rolls of the Municipal Committee, Leh, comprising 21 Wards, and the Municipal Committee, Kargil, comprising 17 Wards, have been finally published on 22nd October, 2026, with reference to 1st October, 2026 as the qualifying date”.

According to the electoral schedule issued by the CEO, notification for elections to the Municipal Committee, Leh and Kargil will be issued on 29 October. The last date for making nominations is 5 November. Scrutiny of nominations will be done on 6 November and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is 9 November.

Allotment of symbols and publication of the list of contesting candidates will be done on        9 November and polling has been fixed on 21 November.  The election process shall be completed on 30 November.

The elections shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000, and the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Committee (Election) Rules, 2003, the CEO ordered.