Ladakh to hold panchayat polls on 21 November 2026, first since becoming a UT; LAHDC Kargil dissolved, 100 seats notified for eight hill councils
On 21 October 2026, Ladakh's State Election Commission announced panchayat elections on 21 November 2026, the first since Ladakh became a Union Territory, while the UT administration dissolved LAHDC Kargil and notified 100 constituencies for eight hill councils.
Summary
The State Election Commission of Ladakh announced on 21 October 2026 that elections to all panchayat halqas in the Union Territory will be held on 21 November 2026, with nominations closing on 2 November and the Model Code of Conduct in force immediately. These are the first panchayat polls since Ladakh became a separate UT in 2019; the last were held in November 2018. The same day, the UT administration dissolved the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, citing the reorganisation of districts. Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena notified 100 constituencies for eight LAHDCs, up from 52 councillors, with Leh getting 22 seats and Kargil 21.
Key facts
- Panchayat polling
- 21 November 2026 (all panchayat halqas)
- Nominations close
- 2 November 2026
- Announced by
- State Election Commission, Ladakh (SEC Sudhanshu Pandey)
- Last panchayat polls
- November 2018 (when part of J&K)
- Significance
- First since Ladakh became a UT in 2019
- LAHDC Kargil
- Dissolved on 21 October 2026
- Hill councils
- 8 LAHDCs; 100 constituencies (up from 52)
- Seat split
- Leh 22, Kargil 21, Sankoo 13, Changthang 10, Nubra 9, Sham 9, Zanskar 9, Drass 7
- Lieutenant Governor
- V K Saxena
Practice MCQs 3 questions
On which date will panchayat elections be held in the Union Territory of Ladakh, as announced in October 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 21 November 2026
How many constituencies were notified in October 2026 for the eight Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils?
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Correct answer: A — 100
Which hill council in Ladakh was dissolved by the UT administration on 21 October 2026?
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Correct answer: B — LAHDC Kargil