SRINAGAR: In the high-stakes electoral battle of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil on Wednesday, a voter turnout of 77.61 percent was reported.
According to details obtained by the news agency KNO, 74,026 votes were cast in the election today, with the NC-Congress combine engaged in a direct fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The highest voter turnout was observed in the Bimbhat seat (4,468), followed by Shargole (3,768) and Ranbirpora (3,760).
A total of 85 candidates are vying for the 26 seats of the Council, which is the highest elected body for the region. The NC and Congress have joined forces to prevent the BJP from gaining power, with the BJP fielding candidates on 17 seats.
Interestingly, prominent leaders of the Congress, National Conference, and BJP campaigned for their respective parties.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rahul Gandhi, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Minister of State Meenakshi Lekhi, Tarun Chugh, and Jamyang Namgyal canvassed for their party candidates.
This election in Kargil is the first since August 5, 2019, when the Centre abrogated Article 370 and reorganised the former state into two Union Territories. (KNO)
