The Election Commission of India on Monday announced that by-election to Budgam and Nagrota assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir would be held on November 11.

Addressing a press conference, Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar said the by-election to two Assembly seats in J&K will be held on November 11, while counting will be held on November 14.
The poll Body also announced the schedule for Bihar election 2025 along with the by-election schedule to some other seats in other states as well.
The Budgam seat fell vacant after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated it and retained Ganderbal seat after winning from both the seats in the Assembly election last year.
The Nagrota seat fell vacant after the death of BJP leader Devender Singh Rana on October 31 last year, just a couple of weeks after the Assembly election result was declared in Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, political parties including the ruling National Conference (NC) and the opposition BJP welcomed the Election Commission of India announcing the schedule for bypolls to Budgam and Nagrota assembly seats.
NC spokesman Tanvir Sadiq said although delayed, the ECI’s decision to hold byelections for the two seats in the Union Territory was welcome.
“We have been seeking a bypoll for the vacant seats as soon as (Chief Minister) Omar Abdullah vacated the Budgam seat. Finally, the people of the Budgam segment will have their representative in the Assembly,” Sadiq said.
Sadiq said the parliamentary board of the party will take the final decision on the candidates.
“We welcome the decision to hold bypolls as it is part of the democratic process,” BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur said.
Asked about the delay in holding bypolls to these seats, Thakur said, “Only the Election Commission knows why the polls were delayed. As political parties, we follow its decisions”.
Asked if the party will contest both seats, Thakur said BJP leaders Sat Sharma and Ashok Koul have been called to Delhi. “BJP is always ready for elections. I think it will be clear in a day or two who will be our candidates”.
PDP spokesman Mohit Bhan, while welcoming the decision, said the lack of representation in the Assembly had cost Budgam in terms of development.
“Better late than never… It is the right of the people to have an elected representative who will speak for them on issues like development,” he said.
Bhan said the political affairs committee of the party will decide whether the party will contest both seats.
“We have done well in the last elections in Budgam and we will be contesting from there. As for Nagrota seats, a decision will be taken in due course,” he added.