Image Source: Agencies

Kargil recorded a voter turnout of 77.61% in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) elections on Wednesday, indicating the residents' desire for democratic representation. This is the first election after the removal of Article 370 in the previous state.
Several voters reiterated their demand for the return of Ladakh state. They are also looking for better medical facilities and essential services. Mobile networks, unemployment, water shortage, etc. are the main concerns of the voters. These polls are seen as a barometer of public opinion on the BJP-led Centre's decision to grant Union Territory (UT) status to Ladakh, which includes Leh and Kargil districts. Currently, Ladakh UT is without an assembly.
There is no medical school. The district hospital is falling apart, no investment has been made in the education sector. Sajad Kargili, political activist
We should either have state power with parliament or we should be allowed to rejoin Kashmir. We want our identity to be preserved. Najaf Ali, a resident of Kaksari village in Kargil
The voters were most concerned about the preservation of the unique identity of the region, the lack of job opportunities for young people, and the reservation policy. "We should either have a state and a parliament or we should allow Kashmir to rejoin," said Najaf Ali, a voter in the village of Kaksari in Kargil, about 15 kilometers from the capital. - In these elections, I voted for a political party that allows me to keep my identity intact, said Ali.
Ladakh has a population of 1.08 lakhs and about 65,878 eligible voters. These elections transcend development issues and are about identity and political representation. In the absence of elected legislators and ministers, residents of the region face insecurity of governance structures, medical facilities, and essential services.
Sajad Kargil, a political activist said, "We do not see any people-centric development in Kargil. There is no medical college. The district hospital is still poor and there is no investment in the education sector.
He said that the development of roads in the area was done for strategic reasons and the BJP should not take credit for such development.
A university academic who traveled from Delhi to vote said he hopes these young candidates, some of whom are even running against longtime politicians, will usher in a new dawn of development for the region. The BJP is looking to capitalize on the development initiatives after 2019 to ensure victory in the Kargil assembly elections. While facing criticism for breaking promises in Buddhist-majority seats like Karsha and Padum, the BJP is optimistic about picking up the only seat it won in the 2018 elections. BJP leader Anayat Ali emphasized the party's focus on the development and support of independent candidates.
The alliance of the National Conference (NC) and Congress is determined to regain its regional status through these elections.
Influential organizations such as the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) have expressed displeasure over the Centre's failure to provide constitutional protection under the Sixth Schedule, which could affect the BJP's vote share. Two seminaries - Anjuman Jamiatul Ulama Islamia School-Kargil and Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust - play a prominent role. Both are members of the KDA, a coalition of 11 parties and religious groups that promote nationalization and constitutional protection of land and jobs.
The BJP, which had promised Zanskar a district seat but failed to deliver, is also facing resentment in Buddhist-majority areas like Karsha and Padum. A total of 85 candidates are contesting for 26 seats in Kargil.
Issues such as access to mobile phone networks, unemployment and lack of drinking water in places like Hunderman, the last village along the Line of Control separating Gilgit-Baltistan from Ladakh, are central to voters.