Supreme Court set aside notice for LAHDC election in the Kargil region and holds that JKNC is entitled to ‘plough’ symbol

Today, the Supreme Court (SC) of India set aside the August 05 notice issued by the Union Teriority of Ladakh for the LAHDC (Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council) election in the Kargil region. The election was scheduled to be held on 10 September 2023. The matter was heard by a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court including Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, and Justice Vikram Nath. The bench also directed the Centre and the election commission of the territory to issue a new notification with a new schedule for the election within a week. 

The SC further stated that the JKNC (Jammu and Kashmir National Conference) Party is entitled to the ‘plough’ symbol and dismissed the petition filed by the Union Territory of Ladakh opposing its allotment to the JKNC. Moreover, the bench also imposed a monetary penalty of Rupees 1 lakh on the Ladak Administration for opposing the order of the High Court allowing the use of ‘plough’ symbol. 

During the Court proceedings, Advocate Shariq Reyaz appeared for the JKNC and Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj appeared for the Union Territory. Advocate Reyaz argued that “as a recognized State Political Party under Section 29 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, they are entitled to contest the LAHDC elections on the symbol they had been allocated-the ‘Plough’. The party has a historical connection with this symbol, and it serves as a visual representation that resonates with voters.” 

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