Security personnel keep vigil during the counting of votes for the Nagrota assembly constituency bypoll, in Jammu district on November 14, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The counting of votes for the bypolls in Budgam and Nagrota Assembly constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir are underway. Tight security arrangements were made as counting began at 8 a.m. Friday morning.
In Nagrota, BJP candidate Devyani Rana is leading, followed by the National Conference candidate Shamim Begum, who is the sitting District Development Council member.
Also read: J&K’s by-polls will be a verdict on Omar Abdullah government’s one-year tenure
Other candidates include the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party candidate Harsh Dev Singh, who is a former state education minister and three-time MLA from Ramnagar.
Devyani Rana is the daughter of former MLA Devender Singh Rana whose death necessitated the bypoll. He was elected from the segment in the 2024 assembly elections but died last year.
A total of 10 candidates are in fray in the constituency. Nagrota went for polling on Tuesday, when a voter turnout of more than 75%was recorded.
Budgam bypoll results
In Budgam, the counting, which would decide the fate of 17 candidates, is taking place at the Government Higher Secondary School.
There were 17 candidates in the fray, with Aga Syed Mehmood of the ruling National Conference facing a stiff challenge from the PDP’s (Peoples Democratic Party) Aga Muntazi
The bypoll was necessitated after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated the seat after winning from both Budgam and Ganderbal in the assembly elections last year. Mr. Abdullah chose his family bastion of Ganderbal.
Over 50% of the electorate exercised their franchise in the Budgam bypoll held on Tuesday (November 11).
With PTI inputs
Published – November 14, 2025 11:01 am IST
