SRINAGAR — 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, with the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) coming into force with immediate effect.
Addressing a press conference, State Election Commissioner Sudhanshu Pandey said the fresh elections were necessary as the last general elections to Panchayat Halqas in Ladakh were held in November 2018 and new bodies are required to be constituted, according to news agency KNS.
Under the schedule announced by the Commission, the election notification will be issued by the Administrator and the SEC on October 26. The last date for filing nominations is November 2, while scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on November 3.
Candidates can withdraw their nominations until November 5. Polling is scheduled for Saturday, November 21, and the entire election process is to be completed by November 30, 2026.
The SEC said Rule 7 of the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Rules, 1996, as applicable to the Union Territory of Ladakh, provides for calling upon Panchayat Halqas to elect Sarpanches and Panches.
The Commission said the MCC provisions governing candidates and political parties would apply throughout the election process to ensure a level playing field.
Under the code, political parties and candidates are prohibited from engaging in activities that create or aggravate differences, mutual hatred or friction among people belonging to different castes and communities. The use of places of worship for election propaganda is also prohibited.
The guidelines restrict the pasting of posters on public or private property without written permission and prohibit political parties and candidates from using official positions or government machinery for election campaigning.
Ministers and other authorities are barred from announcing financial grants, laying foundation stones or making ad hoc appointments in government departments from the time elections are announced.
The SEC has also directed public servants to remain impartial and refrain from campaigning for or against any candidate or political party.
The Commission warned that the Model Code of Conduct must be followed strictly by all concerned and said instructions issued by the Election Commission of India on the subject from time to time would also apply.
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