NewKerala.com

J&K Bypolls: Peaceful Voting Amid High Stakes in Budgam and Nagrota

Peaceful voting is underway in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam and Nagrota Assembly constituencies with large voter turnout. Voters braved the morning chill as queues formed outside polling stations starting at 7 AM. The Budgam bypoll was necessitated after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah resigned from this constituency following his October 2024 election victory. Meanwhile, Nagrota's bypoll follows the death of BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana, with his daughter Devyani now contesting from the constituency.

Key Points: J&K Bypolls Peaceful Voting in Budgam Nagrota Constituencies

  • Budgam constituency has 1.76 lakh voters with 173 polling stations set up
  • 17 candidates in fray including NC's Aga Syed Mehmood and PDP's Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi
  • Nagrota bypoll necessitated after BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana's death in October 2024
  • BJP fields late MLA's daughter Devyani Rana amid sympathy wave in Nagrota
2 min read

J&K bypolls: Peaceful voting underway in Budgam, Nagrota

Peaceful voting underway in J&K's Budgam and Nagrota Assembly bypolls with large voter turnout despite morning chill. Key contests between NC, PDP, BJP candidates.

"Despite the morning chill, voters came out as queues started building up outside polling stations. - Poll Officials"

Srinagar/Jammu, Nov 11

Polling started peacefully on Tuesday in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam and Nagrota Assembly constituencies as voters turned out in large numbers to exercise their democratic right.

Budgam constituency has 1.76 lakh voters, and 173 polling stations have been set up for the electors in the constituency.

The voters were seen wearing traditional tweed overgarments called ‘Pherans’ as they came out in the morning, while women did not come out in large numbers, as they prefer to complete household chores before going out to the polling booths.

Despite the morning chill, voters came out as queues started building up outside polling stations.

Voting started at 7 a.m. and will end at 6 p.m. There are 17 candidates in the fray in Budgam, including Aga Syed Mehmood of the National Conference (NC) and Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the main contenders.

Others in the fray here include Aga Syed Mohsin of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nazir Ahmad Khan of Awami Ittehad Party, Deeba Khan of Aam Aadmi Party and Mohiuddin Muntazir, Independent.

The bypoll was necessitated in Budgam because NC vice president and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah resigned from this constituency after winning from here in the October 2024 assembly elections.

Voters turned out in large numbers in Nagrota, where 10 candidates are in fray as the main contest is between Devyani Rana of the BJP, Shamim Begum of the NC and Harsh Dev Singh of J&K National Panthers Party.

Nagrota bypoll became necessary after BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana passed away on October 31, 2024. BJP has fielded Devender Singh Rana’s daughter, Devyani, from Nagrota, and in addition to the constituency being a stronghold of the BJP, a sympathy wave was also seen for the late Rana’s daughter during the campaigning process.

For 97,893 eligible voters, 150 polling stations have been set up in the Nagrota constituency.

At vulnerable places in both Budgam and Nagrota Assembly constituencies, paramilitary and police personnel have been deployed in strength.

Poll officials said all necessary arrangements have been put in place for smooth polling as polling staff, static and mobile surveillance teams and magistrates have been deployed across booths in Budgam and Nagrota constituencies.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Interesting to see women preferring to complete household chores before voting. This reflects our cultural realities, though I wish more women could vote early. The traditional Pherans in Budgam show how culture and democracy coexist beautifully.
A
Arjun K
The sympathy wave for Devyani Rana in Nagrota is understandable, but voters should focus on development agenda rather than emotional factors. Hope the elected candidate delivers on promises.
S
Sarah B
As someone following Indian politics from abroad, it's heartening to see peaceful elections in J&K. The security arrangements seem adequate and voters braving the chill shows their commitment to democracy.
V
Vikram M
With 17 candidates in Budgam, voters have plenty of choices. Hope the winner focuses on local issues like employment and infrastructure. The high number of polling stations (173 for 1.76 lakh voters) shows good planning by election commission.
K
Kavya N
While the peaceful voting is commendable, I'm concerned about the low women turnout mentioned. Election commission should consider special arrangements to encourage more women voters. Democracy works best when everyone participates equally.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50