Bypolls Across 13 Seats: Counting Underway in J&K, Punjab, Telangana, and Seven Other States

New Delhi, Nov 2025 : Counting of votes is underway for bypolls held across 13 assembly constituencies in ten states, including two seats each in Jammu & Kashmir and one seat each in Punjab, Telangana, Odisha, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Arunachal Pradesh.

In Budgam (J&K), the bypoll was necessitated after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated the seat. The contest has drawn three candidates, including Mohammad Ashraf Mir of the National Conference (NC) and Syed Mehroom of the PDP, led by Mehbooba Mufti.

In North Kashmir’s Kupwara, the NCP candidate Bilal Pandit faces a multi-cornered contest with the BJP’s Shamim Begum and JKNPP’s Ilarsh Dev Singh. Congress withdrew its candidate to support Begum.

Punjab’s Tarn Taran seat is seeing a tight contest after MLA Sarbjit Singh Moar’s demise. AAP’s Kamaldeep Singh Sandhu, a three-time MLA, faces BJP’s Kewal Singh. Twenty-two-year-old Amarjit Kaur Randhawa of SAD is also in the fray.

Rajasthan’s Banra seat went to bypolls following the disqualification of BJP MLA Kanwar Lal Meena in a corruption case. Of the 2.48 lakh voters, 1.68 lakh cast ballots.

In Arunachal Pradesh’s Bameng, former CM Pema Khandu’s brother Nabhung Bagang faces a tough three-way fight as an Independent.

Former Jharkhand minister Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu is contesting from Baridih after the death of BJP MLA Kunal Sarangi. Babulal Soren of the JMM is among the key contenders.

In Telangana’s Secunderabad, the seat fell vacant after the passing of BJP MLA Rajendra Dholakia. His son, Jitu Dholakia, is contesting against Congress candidate Shekhar Majhi.

Odisha’s Boudh is witnessing a four-way contest following the death of MLA Pradip Chandrakar. The ruling BJD, BJP, Congress, and AAP are all fielding candidates.

In Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli, the bypoll was held following the death of MLA Lalinathrao Sallo.

Across the country, strict security arrangements have been implemented. Election Commission officials said counting began with postal ballots at 8 a.m., followed by EVM counting from 8:30 a.m. A total of 1,164 counting tables and over 4,700 polling staff have been deployed.

More than 6.5 lakh voters exercised their franchise in these bypolls. Final results are expected later today.

Team Maverick.