Budgam Sees Peaceful Polling as Voters Turn Out to End “Years of Injustice”: PDP’s Aga Muntazir Mehdi

Budgam, Nov 11: Polling for the Budgam Assembly by-election witnessed a smooth and peaceful process on Tuesday, with voters turning out steadily across several polling stations.

District Election Officer (DEO) Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat (IAS) said the polling is progressing without any disruptions.“Polling is going smoothly. We are committed to ensuring free and fair elections. Efforts are being made to encourage higher voter turnout,” said Dr. Bilal Bhat, DEO Budgam.

Earlier, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Aga Muntazir Mehdi said that people are coming out in large numbers to “end the injustice done by the National Conference (NC)” over the years.

He remarked that the elections previously won by the NC were “sentiment-driven,” but this time voters are using the ballot to protest “unfulfilled promises.”

“Those who abandoned the people cannot regain trust simply by showing up now,” Mehdi added, referring to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent campaign visit to Budgam.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission recorded an approximate voter turnout of 9.36% in Budgam till 9 a.m.

Other constituencies reporting turnout include Nagrota (15.11%), Ghatsila (17.33%), Dampa (18.38%), Nuapada (14.99%), Tarn Taran (10.32%), Anta (14.09%), and Jubilee Hills (10.02%).