SRINAGAR: As Ladakh’s administration Wednesday imposed a complete ban on protests and demonstrations within the municipal limits of Leh and Kargil, citing the municipal and hill council polls scheduled for Nov 23 and Dec 4, respectively, Ladakhi leaders, including Leh Apex Body (LAB) member and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, appealed to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah to intervene to defer the polls, citing harsh winter conditions and the likely exclusion of a large section of the electorate.“It is an SOS call from Ladakh to the President, the Prime Minister and the Union home minister. We are sending this message to the people of India also,” the joint appeal said.Earlier in the day, the office of the chief electoral officer issued an order stating that the model code of conduct has been enforced and will remain in force till the completion of the election process. The order said organising of political dharnas, protests, demonstrations, sit-ins, rallies or similar collective activities within the municipal limits of Leh and Kargil during the currency of the…
‘SOS’ call from Ladakh leaders & Wangchuk, to President, PM and HM for poll deferment
In short
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa, and key political groups are urging central leaders to postpone municipal and hill council polls slated for November 23 and December 4. They contend that shifting the exercise to May or June would ensure proper democratic engagement, as 30 to 50 percent of citizens are typically absent in winter. Meanwhile, the lieutenant-governor’s administration has imposed strict restrictions under the model code of conduct, prohibiting all rallies, demonstrations, and sit-ins within Leh and Kargil municipal boundaries.
Key points
- Political representatives and activists are urging central authorities to reschedule loca…: Political representatives and activists are urging central authorities to reschedule local elections to May or June.
- Community leaders argue the current winter timeline risks disenfranchising voters and und…: Community leaders argue the current winter timeline risks disenfranchising voters and undermining Ladakh's traditional 90 percent turnout rate.
- Electoral officials defend assembly bans as necessary public order safeguards, while loca…: Electoral officials defend assembly bans as necessary public order safeguards, while local representatives criticize the measures as arbitrary infringements on voting rights.