Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has given four weeks’ time to the Election Commission of India, the Union Government, and the J&K Government to respond to a petition challenging the delay in holding by-elections for the Budgam and Nagrota assembly constituencies.
The petition alleges that the authorities have violated Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which mandates bypolls within six months of a seat falling vacant. The petitioner also cited multiple court rulings underscoring the constitutional requirement for timely representation.
The Budgam seat fell vacant after former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah retained Ganderbal, which he also won in the 2024 Assembly elections.
The Nagrota seat became vacant following the death of senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana on October 31, 2024.
The Court, after hearing the submissions, directed all concerned parties to file their replies within four weeks and posted the matter for further hearing thereafter.
