NOV 12: Polling concluded peacefully in the 27–Budgam and 77–Nagrota Assembly Constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir, marking the successful completion of bye-elections to fill two vacant Legislative Assembly seats. The vacancies arose following the resignation of Sh. Omar Abdullah, who was elected from two constituencies, and the demise of Sh. Davinder Singh Rana.
The Election Commission of India had announced the bye-elections on October 6, 2025, alongside the Bihar Assembly elections. The nomination process began on October 13, with withdrawals closing on October 24. In total, 17 candidates contested in Budgam and 10 in Nagrota.
Budgam had 1,26,025 registered electors and Nagrota 97,980. To facilitate voting, 173 polling stations were set up in Budgam and 150 in Nagrota, all equipped with assured minimum facilities. Two ballot units were used at each Budgam polling station due to the high number of candidates.
Additionally, 24 Special Polling Stations were established for Kashmiri Migrant voters—19 in Jammu, one in Udhampur, and four in Delhi.
Polling took place from 7 AM to 6 PM. By 7:30 PM, Budgam recorded 50.01% turnout, and Nagrota 74.82%. Kashmiri migrants cast 157 votes in Jammu, 11 in Udhampur, and 10 in Delhi.
For the first time, turnout data was captured directly by Presiding Officers through the Election Commission’s new “Presiding Officer App” under the Integrated ECTNet system, enhancing accuracy and speed.
Counting of votes will be held on November 14, 2025.
