Kashmir Bypoll: Political Stakes Rise as Administration Steps Up Poll Preparedness

SRINAGAR: As political activity gathers momentum across Jammu and Kashmir, the upcoming by-election in Budgam has emerged as a high-stakes political test for the Omar Abdullah-led government—seen widely as a midterm referendum on the ruling National Conference’s (NC) performance. Voting for the 27-Budgam Assembly Constituency is expected next month, following the vacancy created when Omar Abdullah vacated the seat after retaining Ganderbal.

With multiple parties entering the fray, the bypoll has already taken on the colour of a political battlefield. The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), led by jailed Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, on Saturday announced Nazir Ahmad Khan as its candidate, launching a direct attack on Omar Abdullah for “betraying Budgam voters.” AIP’s chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said, “Omar Abdullah promised that if Budgam gave him more votes than Ganderbal, he would retain their seat. Budgam trusted him, but he abandoned them.”

The NC, which has traditionally held the Budgam seat, is expected to announce its candidate shortly, though the absence of Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi—once a key party figure in the constituency and now openly critical of the Omar government—could complicate its campaign. Mehbooba Mufti’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is likely to field Aga Syed Muntazir, while the Apni Party and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are also preparing to enter the contest.

As the political contest heats up, the district administration has swung into full operational mode. District Election Officer (DEO) Dr Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat chaired a comprehensive review meeting at the DC Office Complex in Budgam to assess the district’s preparedness for the upcoming bypoll.

According to officials present at the meeting, all 173 polling stations across Budgam—covering both rural and urban segments—are being equipped with electricity, drinking water, toilets, and ramps to ensure full accessibility, including for persons with disabilities. “The district administration is fully prepared and committed to conduct free, fair, participative, and peaceful elections,” Dr Bhat said.

The DEO emphasised inter-departmental coordination, real-time monitoring, and technology-driven transparency. Senior officials, including ADC Budgam, ASP Budgam, Returning Officer 27-AC, and other nodal officers, attended the meeting, where aspects such as law and order, transport logistics, polling staff training, health contingencies, and voter awareness campaigns were discussed in detail.

Budgam has achieved 100 per cent EPIC (Electoral Photo Identity Card) saturation for its 1.25 lakh voters under the SVEEP programme. Door-to-door awareness drives, youth registration campaigns in colleges, and special outreach for women, third-gender, and differently-abled voters are underway under the theme “No Voter to be Left Behind.”

Officials said that all Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and VVPAT units have been tested and sealed in line with Election Commission of India (ECI) protocols, with 8 per cent of the machines earmarked for training. “Training of Booth Level Officers, Presiding Officers, and Micro Observers will be carried out under State and District Master Trainers to ensure error-free polling,” the DEO added.

ASP Budgam briefed the meeting on preventive security measures, arms deposition drives, and coordination with Flying Squads and Static Surveillance Teams to curb electoral malpractice or inducement. The Expenditure Monitoring Cell will track campaign spending and enforce route surveillance in line with ECI norms.

Political observers say the Budgam bypoll will serve as a pulse check on the Abdullah government’s standing after a year in power. With the NC defending its traditional turf amid rising opposition from the PDP, AIP, and Apni Party, the outcome is expected to shape political narratives well beyond Budgam—potentially setting the tone for future electoral contests in the Valley.

For the administration, the challenge is equally high-stakes: ensuring that one of the Valley’s most closely watched bypolls passes as a model of transparency and trust, even as political temperatures continue to climb.