ECI Announces Byelections for Budgam and Nagrota Assembly Constituencies in J&K
Vacancies arose following Omar Abdullah’s resignation from Budgam and Devender Singh Rana’s demise in Nagrota; polling scheduled for November 11, 2025.
Jammu, Oct 13: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced bye-elections for two vacant Assembly constituencies in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir 27-Budgam and 77-Nagrota to fill vacancies caused by the resignation of Sh. Omar Abdullah and the demise of Sh. Devender Singh Rana, respectively.
The Commission made the announcement through separate notifications published in the Jammu and Kashmir Official Gazette on October 13, 2025.
According to the notifications, both vacancies will be filled through bye-elections conducted under Section 150 and Sections 30 and 56 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951). The ECI has directed that the election process in both constituencies be completed before November 16, 2025.
As per the notified schedule, the key dates for the bye-elections are as follows:
Last date for filing nominations: October 20, 2025 (Monday)
Scrutiny of nominations: October 22, 2025 (Wednesday)
Last date for withdrawal of candidature: October 24, 2025 (Friday)
Polling date (if required): November 11, 2025 (Tuesday)
Completion of election process: November 16, 2025 (Sunday)
The polling hours have been fixed from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., ensuring sufficient time for voters to exercise their franchise.
The notifications were issued by Suman Kumar Das, Secretary, Election Commission of India, and countersigned by Anil Salgotra, JKAS, Joint Chief Electoral Officer, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The upcoming bye-elections are expected to witness significant political activity, marking another step in the ongoing democratic process in Jammu and Kashmir following its reorganization as a Union Territory.
