73% Voter Turnout in First Ladakh Key Polls Since Article 370 Repeal

73% Voter Turnout in First Ladakh Key Polls Since Article 370 Repeal

VoM News Desk | October 4, 2023 | 07:07 PM IST | Breaking News, Elections 2023, Ladakh (Union Territory) | Follow on Google News

73% Voter Turnout in First Ladakh Key Polls Since Article 370 Repeal

73% Voter Turnout in First Ladakh Key Polls Since Article 370 Repeal

High Voter Turnout in Ladakh Hill Development Council Elections

In a significant electoral event, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council elections in Kargil witnessed a robust voter turnout of around 73 percent. This election marks a pivotal moment for Kargil district in Ladakh, now a Union Territory (UT), following the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. The eagerly anticipated results will be revealed on Sunday, with 85 candidates vying for 26 seats.

Identity Concerns in Post-Article 370 Era

During the polling, many voters expressed concerns about their identity following the abrogation of Article 370 and the absence of democratic representation under the Union Territory administration. Zehra Bano, a 70-year-old voter, voiced her dissatisfaction, saying, “We are angry because Modi has separated us from Kashmir in 2019.” She was part of a substantial number of women in Kargil who turned out to cast their votes. Another voter echoed similar sentiments, expressing a desire to reunite with Jammu and Kashmir, citing the failure of the Union Territory setup: “We want statehood back. We didn’t get anything under UT, and our children are unemployed.”

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A Referendum on August 5, 2019 Decision

The electoral contest primarily revolves around the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Conference-Congress alliance. This election is viewed as a potential referendum on whether the people have accepted or rejected the Centre’s decision of August 5, 2019. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, at a poll rally, urged voters to send a “clear message to reject or accept” the decision made by the NDA government in 2019. Historically, Kargil has been a stronghold for the National Conference. Two influential religious institutions, the Jamiat Ulema Kargil and the Imam Khumaini Memorial Trust, are actively shaping the political landscape in Kargil, traditionally backing the National Conference and Congress, respectively.

Challenges and Legal Battles

The electoral process faced hurdles earlier when the Ladakh administration denied the “plough” symbol to National Conference candidates, resulting in a legal battle. The Supreme Court eventually set aside the Ladakh hill council polls, initially scheduled for September 10. Over the past three years, political parties, social groups, and religious organizations in Ladakh have formed an alliance advocating against Ladakh’s UT status. Instead, they demand full statehood and constitutional protection under the 6th schedule. This unique political alliance, bringing together Buddhist and Muslim groups in Leh and Kargil districts, presents a significant challenge to the BJP’s electoral prospects in Ladakh.

VoM News Desk

VoM News is an online web portal in jammu Kashmir offers regional, National & global news.