Leh, Nov 11: The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Ladakh has prohibited political dharnas, protests, demonstrations, sit-ins and rallies within the municipal limits of Leh and Kargil until the completion of the ongoing municipal election process, citing concerns that such activities could intimidate voters and affect the conduct of free and fair elections.
The order, issued on Wednesday bars, political parties, candidates, their workers, supporters and other individuals from organising or participating in collective political activities that could disrupt the peaceful electoral environment during the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
The restrictions come ahead of the November 21 municipal elections in Leh and Kargil, which will cover 38 wards — 21 in Leh and 17 in Kargil. The entire election process is scheduled to be completed by November 30.
The electoral contest in Leh has 42 candidates in the fray across all 21 wards. In Kargil, candidates in four of the 17 wards have been elected unopposed, leaving 13 wards where polling is scheduled to take place.
According to the final electoral rolls, Leh has 2,720 registered voters, while Kargil has 645, taking the combined electorate to 3,365.
The elections are being held following the expiry of the terms of the elected Municipal Committees. The last municipal elections in Ladakh were held in 2018, when the region was part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Model Code of Conduct came into force on October 23, when the CEO announced the election schedule. The notification for the elections was subsequently issued on October 29.
In the latest order, the CEO said the Model Code requires the maintenance of an atmosphere conducive to free, fair and peaceful elections, with no activity permitted that could create intimidation, fear or undue influence among voters.
It observed that political dharnas, demonstrations, sit-ins, hunger strikes and rallies during the election period had the potential to disturb public order, influence electors and undermine the electoral environment.
Invoking powers under Section 282 of the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000, read with the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Committee (Election) Rules, 2003, the CEO directed that no political party, candidate, worker, supporter or any other person should organise or participate in such activities within the municipal limits of Leh and Kargil if they were likely to affect the peaceful conduct of elections.
The order further directs political parties, candidates and their election agents to strictly adhere to the Model Code of Conduct and refrain from activities that could intimidate, coerce or unduly influence electors.
The District Election Officers (Deputy Commissioners) of Leh and Kargil, along with the respective Superintendents of Police and other concerned authorities, have been directed to ensure strict implementation of the restrictions.
Any violation, the order said, would be dealt with firmly under relevant legal provisions and the Model Code of Conduct.
The Deputy Commissioners have also been instructed to ensure wide publicity of the order through print and electronic media and display copies at public places, including Municipal Committee offices, their offices and other prominent locations.
The CEO said the directions had been issued under the unamended Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000, and the relevant election rules, with the objective of safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
The restrictions will remain in force until the completion of the municipal election process on November 30.
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