Decision day for Budgam, Nagrota
Srinagar, Nov 13: Jammu and Kashmir is bracing for an important political moment as counting of votes in the Budgam and Nagrota Assembly bypolls takes place on Friday, with both constituencies poised to deliver results.
The two seats, which recorded strong voter participation during the November 11 bypolls, are being closely watched by political parties, analysts, and administrative officials alike.
The Budgam seat fell vacant after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah resigned, opting to retain the Ganderbal constituency he simultaneously won in the 2024 Assembly elections.
In Nagrota, the bypoll was necessitated by the death of BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana shortly after he took office.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the bypolls on October 6, and after the nomination and withdrawal process was completed, 17 candidates remained in the fray for Budgam and 10 for Nagrota.
Budgam reported a turnout of 50.01 percent, with 63,013 voters casting their ballots out of 1,26,025 registered electors.
With 17 candidates contesting, two ballot units were used at each of the 173 polling stations.
The constituency witnessed a triangular contest between National Conference (NC) candidate Aga Syed Mahmood, People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s Aga Syed Muntazir, and BJP’s Aga Syed Mohsin.
Kashmiri migrants registered in Budgam cast their votes at special polling stations established in Jammu, Udhampur, and Delhi.
In Nagrota, where 97,980 voters were eligible to participate, the polling saw a robust turnout of 74.82 percent.
The seat features three prominent contenders: Devyani Rana of the BJP, daughter of late Devender Singh Rana; Shamim Begum of the NC; and Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party leader Harsh Dev Singh.
Given its mix of rural and urban demographics and its geographic position as the northern entry point to Jammu city, Nagrota remains a constituency of high political sensitivity.
As the counting day nears, administrative preparations have gathered pace.
In Budgam, District Election Officer Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat conducted a thorough inspection of the counting centre on Wednesday.
Bhat reviewed all designated counting halls, strongrooms, security arrangements, entry and exit points, and the facilities provided for counting staff and observers.
The inspection also covered the layout of counting tables, movement corridors, CCTV surveillance, and communication systems to ensure full compliance with ECI guidelines.
Bhat instructed the concerned officials to ensure foolproof security, uninterrupted power supply, proper barricading, and regulated entry for authorised personnel.
He also visited the media centre established for the bypoll and asked officers to facilitate journalists with adequate seating and communication infrastructure.
Accompanied by the Returning Officer, Deputy DEO, AROs, and senior engineers, the DEO expressed satisfaction with the preparations and stressed close coordination among all departments to ensure a transparent and efficient counting process.
Meanwhile, the ECI has put in place a robust monitoring mechanism for Friday’s counting.
For the first time, turnout data in both constituencies was recorded in real time through the Presiding Officer App, part of the Integrated ECTNet platform, reducing the scope for delays and clerical errors.
General, Police, and Expenditure Observers have been deployed, and senior ECI officers have been assigned to oversee counting at special polling stations in Jammu, Udhampur, and Delhi.
Political parties are approaching the decision day with heightened anticipation.
For the NC, Budgam represents a traditional stronghold, and a win here would reaffirm its central Kashmir base.
For the BJP, the Nagrota result will be a measure of its continued influence in Jammu’s outer belt.
The JKNPP also sees an opportunity for revival if it performs well.
With strongrooms sealed, security tightened, and technical arrangements tested, the stage is now fully set for the November 14 verdict.
