Ladakh admin announces holiday tomorrow on account of 6th LAHDC-Leh polls, first since UT status

  Lakh ministration anunced a holiday on account of elections to Lakh Automous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) in Leh district on Thursday, a senior official said.

It is hereby ordered that a public holiday shall be observed within limits of Leh district on account of 6th LAHDC election on date of poll, as fixed on 22nd October, Commissioner-Secretary, General ministration Department,  Lakh, Ajeet Kumar Sahu said in an order her on Wednesday.

He said that a public holiday under Section 25 of Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 shall be observed within limits of Leh district on date of polling.

A special casual leave shall be granted to employees, who have to go to or areas for exercising ir right to franchise, for which y will demonstrate proof of voting on return, Sahu said. polling on Thursday shall also be declared as a paid holiday to every person employed in any business, tre, industrial undertakings or any or establishment entitled to vote, senior official said.

He said daily w labourers and casual workers shall also be entitled for holiday and ws on poll day. st is set for 6th Lakh Automous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)-Leh polls as all arrangements have been put in place for first democratic exercise post granting of Union Territory status to region last year.

An electorate of 89,776, including 45,025 women, are eligible to exercise ir franchise in 294 polling stations spre over 26 constituencies across Leh district to seal fate of 94 candidates, including 26 each of BJP and Congress. election officials said all arrangements are in place and are hopeful of a peaceful polling on Thursday with arrangements including necessary measures to prevent spre of COVID-19.He said polling parties along with security personnel have reached designated polling stations for smooth conduct of voting which will take place from 8 am to 4 pm.

Besides Congress and BJP, Aam mi Party (AAP) is also trying its luck for first time by fielding 19 candidates, while remaining are 23 independent contestants. regional parties including National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have chosen to stay away from election.

counting of votes will take place on October 26 and poll process is expected to be completed by October 30. LAHDC-Leh has a total of 30 seats and four councilors are minated by government.

Since formation of hill council in 1995, Congress h swept polls thrice, while Lakh Union Territorial Front h won elections in 2005. BJP wrested control of council from Congress for first time in last elections by winning 18 out of 26 seats. 

(IM CREDITS:PTI)