Srinagar, Oct 21: Ladakh is all set to hold elections to eight Autonomous Hill Development Councils after President Droupadi Murmu promulgated the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC) (Amendment) Regulation, 2026.
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena notified the regulation with effect from October 19, terming it a “historic regulation”.
Officials said the regulation was implemented in a record time of just six days. The Union Cabinet approved the amendments on October 14, followed by promulgation by the President on October 16. The regulation paves the way for creation of LAHDC in all eight districts of Ladakh, including the newly created Sankoo district. Ladakh earlier had only two hill councils — in Leh and Kargil, before the administration created five new districts including Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass in April and Sankoo on October 16.
The amended regulation rationalises the number of constituencies from the earlier fixed 26 seats in each council to a minimum of seven seats and a maximum of 24 seats. It also provides for nomination of four members from ‘women’ and ‘unrepresented communities’ for greater people’s participation.
Powers to conduct the polls have been assigned to the State Election Commission (SEC), which will be responsible for superintendence, direction and control of elections and preparation of electoral rolls. The regulation also substitutes the word ‘Governor’ with ‘Administrator’ throughout the LAHDC Act, 1997, defining Administrator as the Administrator of UT Ladakh appointed by the President under Article 239.
“I am pleased to announce that upon the promulgation of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (Amendment) Regulation, 2026, by the Hon’ble President of India, I have notified the regulation with effect from 19 October 2026. The historic regulation, implemented in a record time of just six days, now paves the way for creation of LAHDC in all 8 districts of Ladakh, including the newly created Sankoo district,” LG Ladakh posted on ‘X’.
“The Union Cabinet had approved the amendments on 14 October, followed by its promulgation by the Hon’ble President on 16th October” LG Ladakh said.
LG said that the amended regulation rationalises the number of constituencies – from the earlier 26 seats in each Council, to a minimum of 7 seats and maximum 24 seats now. It also provides for nomination of four members from “women” and “unrepresented communities” for greater people’s participation in the local governance.
LG Saxena thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for the “landmark regulation, that will strengthen grassroots democracy, enhance local representation and promote inclusivity”.
However, leaders of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which are spearheading agitation for constitutional safeguards and statehood, have opposed the amendment alleging that hill council powers have been curtailed and UT administration’s control strengthened. Under the new provisions, councils will exercise district-level Panchayat powers, while district plans will have to adhere to administrative guidelines and their bye-laws will require approval from the administration.
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