Kargil - According to officials, in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil election, the National Conference and Congress jointly secured 22 seats. This election was significant as it marked the first poll following the reorganization of Ladakh into a Union Territory, following the revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution.

The election, held on October 4, featured a total of 26 seats in the council. Additionally, the administration appointed four members with voting rights to the 30-member council.

The National Conference (NC) emerged as the largest single party by winning 12 seats, while their coalition partner, the Congress, clinched victory in 10 seats. The BJP secured two seats, and two Independent candidates also achieved victory.

The voter turnout was impressive, with 77.61 percent of eligible voters casting their ballots. The previous council, led by NC's Feroz Ahmad Khan, concluded its five-year term on October 1. The new council is expected to take office before October 11.

The NC and Congress had formed a pre-election alliance but fielded 17 and 22 candidates, respectively. They indicated that this arrangement was limited to areas where they faced tough competition from the BJP.

In contrast, the BJP, which had won one seat in the previous election and later increased its tally to three with the addition of two PDP councillors, fielded 17 candidates in this election. Additionally, the Aam Aadmi Party contested on four seats.