SRINAGAR, Oct 14: The process of filing nominations for the upcoming by-elections to the Budgam and Nagrota Assembly constituencies officially began on Monday, following the issuance of notifications by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The two constituencies are set to witness keen electoral contests, marking another important phase in Jammu and Kashmir’s evolving democratic process.
According to the election schedule, candidates can submit their nomination papers until October 20. The scrutiny of nominations will be carried out on October 22, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature has been fixed for October 24. The polling will take place on November 11, and the counting of votes is scheduled for November 14.
The Budgam Assembly seat fell vacant on October 21, 2024, after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chose to retain his Ganderbal constituency, having won from both seats during the 2024 Assembly elections. The Nagrota seat, on the other hand, became vacant following the demise of BJP MLA Devinder Singh Rana on October 31, 2024.
Officials said that all necessary arrangements have been put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the by-elections. The District Election Officers of Budgam and Jammu have been directed to coordinate with law enforcement agencies and election staff to ensure transparency, security, and adherence to the Model Code of Conduct. Election observers, expenditure monitors, and micro-level teams will be deployed to oversee every stage of the electoral process.
Political parties have already begun preliminary discussions to finalize their candidates for both constituencies. The Budgam by-election is expected to draw attention as a symbolic contest in central Kashmir, while the Nagrota poll in the Jammu region is being seen as an important test for major parties, particularly the BJP, National Conference (NC), and Congress, as they prepare for the next full-term assembly elections.
With the by-elections taking place amid ongoing political realignments and coalition discussions in Jammu and Kashmir, the outcome in these two seats is expected to offer insights into the shifting mood of the electorate and the relative strength of regional and national parties in the Union Territory’s changing political landscape.