Ladakh Election Witnesses Over 68% Turnout; Kargil Surpasses Leh

On Monday, Ladakh witnessed a significant voter turnout of over 68% in the elections for its lone Lok Sabha seat, with three candidates vying for the position. This election is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first major electoral event in the region since it was designated a Union territory in 2019. The voter participation in Kargil reached 74%, while Leh saw a turnout of 62.50%. Ladakh, covering an expansive area of over 59,000 square kilometres, stands as India's largest parliamentary constituency by area, encompassing the districts of Leh and Kargil.

The Election Commission reported an overall polling percentage of 68.47%, a slight decrease from the 71.05% recorded during the 2019 general election. Among the voters were Lt Governor Brig Dr BD Mishra (retd) and his wife Neelam Mishra, who cast their votes in Skara Yokma, Leh. "Voting is the festival of democracy. I am happy that we are celebrating it like that. Free and fair voting is an important step of democracy," Mishra expressed post-voting.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, known for his recent 66-day sit-in protest in Leh advocating for constitutional safeguards and statehood for Ladakh, also participated in the electoral process at Ulyaktopo village. "I have just voted and I am happy. I am also feeling sad because many people don't exercise their right to vote," Wangchuk shared, highlighting the importance of voting as a democratic right.

Ladakh's Chief Electoral Officer Yetindra M Maralkar had earlier anticipated a voter turnout of up to 75%. To encourage voting, at least 10 Model Booths were established, offering traditional seating and local refreshments, accompanied by election promotion music. A unique polling station was also set up for just five family members in the remote village of Washi in Leh district.

In this election, the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat saw three candidates: BJP's Tashi Gyalson and Congress's Tsering Namgyal from the Buddhist-majority Leh, and Independent candidate Mohammad Haneefa Jan from the Shia Muslim-majority Kargil region. Haneefa, a former National Conference leader who left the party to run as an Independent after disagreements over candidate selection, represents a significant shift in the political landscape of Kargil.

The total electorate in Ladakh numbers at approximately 1.84 lakh voters, with Kargil district accounting for 95,926 and Leh for 88,877. The region was equipped with 298 polling stations in Leh and 279 booths in Kargil to accommodate this vast electorate. This election not only serves as a pivotal moment for Ladakh post its designation as a Union territory but also reflects the democratic spirit and diversity of its populace.