Srinagar, October 5, 2023: The Ladakh Union Territory administration extends its congratulations to the residents of Kargil for their robust participation in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil (LAHDC-K) election, which witnessed an impressive 77.61 percent voter turnout on Wednesday.
Addressing the media, Deputy Commissioner of Kargil, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse, expressed his admiration for the people of Kargil who actively engaged in the LAHDC-K election, exercising their franchise at a remarkable rate of 77.61 percent.
This historic civic election in Kargil district marked the first of its kind since Ladakh became a separate Union Territory on August 5, 2019, following the reorganization of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir.
In this election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced a united opposition comprising the Congress and National Conference in 26 out of the 30 Council seats. A total of 85 candidates contested, with 22 representing the Congress, 17 from the National Conference, 17 from the BJP, four from the Aam Aadmi Party, and 24 as Independent candidates.
The counting of votes is scheduled for October 8, ensuring a transparent process, as stated by Deputy Commissioner Suse.
He noted that this turnout was likely one of the highest in the country, highlighting the enthusiasm of the voters who patiently waited outside polling stations from early morning, even in the cold Zanaskar area.
Suse likened elections to a festival, emphasizing the celebratory spirit displayed by the people of Kargil. He also praised the comprehensive security arrangements made to ensure a smooth electoral process.
While some polling booths experienced brief interruptions due to Automatic Voting Machine (AVM) glitches, these were promptly resolved by zonal officers. In the remote Akue area, accessible only by foot, isolated law and order issues were reported. However, security forces swiftly intervened, restoring order with the cooperation of presiding officers and polling agents.
Suse credited both the Kargil residents and officials for their crucial roles in upholding democracy. He highlighted the synergy between local efforts and guidance from the Union Territory administration, expressing confidence that future elections, including the upcoming Lok Sabha election, would also be conducted successfully.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anayat Ali Choudhary, present at the media briefing, provided insights into the security arrangements implemented during the election held the previous day.
