New Delhi: The Centre has amended the rules governing the Autonomous Hill Development Councils in Ladakh, bringing their legal terminology, administrative structure and electoral provisions in line with the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
The amendments specify the composition and tenure of the councils, the authority responsible for conducting elections, and the process for resolving electoral disputes following the creation of the Union territory.
Under the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (Amendment) Regulation, the Ladakh administration will determine the number of elected seats in each council. A council must have at least seven and no more than 24 elected seats.
The administration is also empowered to nominate up to four members from among women and unrepresented communities, subject to a population limit of one-sixth. Additionally, the sitting Lok Sabha member representing Ladakh will serve as an ex-officio member of the council constituted for each district.
Each council will hold a five-year term starting from the date appointed for its initial meeting, unless dissolved beforehand. This term may be extended if holding elections is deemed impracticable.
The updated regulations replace references to the state and governor with the Union territory of Ladakh and the Administrator, respectively. The State Election Commission for Ladakh will oversee, direct and control the conduct of elections and the preparation of electoral rolls.
Candidates or participants may file election disputes by submitting petitions directly to the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh within 45 days of the election results being declared.
The regulation formally defines the district areas under the law to include Leh, Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Kargil, Zanskar, and Drass, alongside any newly established districts.
Furthermore, the councils will function with the powers of panchayats at the district level. They will be treated as district-level panchayats to exercise authority and execute functions under the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989, thereby updating Ladakh's local governance structure.