SRINAGAR: The State Election Commission of Ladakh has proposed November 21 as the polling date for general elections to all Panchayat Halqas in the Union Territory, with the election process scheduled to conclude by November 30.
In a press note issued on October 21, State Election Commissioner Sudhanshu Pandey said the proposed schedule had been drawn up as the last general elections to Panchayat Halqas in Ladakh were held in November 2018, necessitating the constitution of new Panchayat Halqas.
According to the schedule, election notifications will be issued by the Administrator and the State Election Commission on October 26. The last date for filing nomination papers is November 2, while scrutiny will take place on November 3.
Candidates can withdraw their nominations until November 5, with polling scheduled for November 21. The entire election process is to be completed by November 30.
The commission said the schedule had been proposed in accordance with Rule 7 of the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Rules, 1996, as applicable to Ladakh. The provision requires the government to notify the election process in consultation with the election authority.
The Model Code of Conduct for candidates and political parties contesting Panchayat elections in Ladakh has come into force with immediate effect. The commission said all concerned would be required to comply with the code and subsequent instructions issued by it, as well as applicable directions of the Election Commission of India.
The commission has directed that the provisions of the code be followed strictly throughout the election process.
