ECI set to announce bye-polls for Budgam and Nagrota seats

Srinagar, Mar 07: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to announce bye-polls for Budgam and Nagrota assembly segments, sources disclosed.

Sources told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the poll body could announce the schedule for two seats anytime from now. “It could be announced this week or early next week,” they said.

While Omar Abdullah, who won Budgam and Ganderbal seats in the last year’s election, decided to vacate the former on October 21, Nagrota seat fell vacant on October 31 due to the demise of Devinder Singh Rana.

The election for both the seats has to be completed by April 20 as a bye-election for filling any vacancy shall be held within a period of six months from the date of the occurrence of the vacancy.

It could be delayed beyond the six-month timeline only if the Election Commission of India (ECI) in consultation with the central government certifies that it is difficult to hold the bye-election within the said period.(KNO)