Srinagar, Nov 11: Polling began on Tuesday in the Budgam assembly bypoll, with 17 candidates contesting amid tight security arrangements, officials said. Voting started at 7 am across 173 polling stations and is scheduled to continue until 6 pm.

The constituency has around 1.26 lakh registered voters, and authorities have deployed extensive security to ensure smooth polling. The bypoll is seen as a litmus test for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s government and his party, the National Conference (NC).

The bypoll became necessary after Abdullah vacated the Budgam seat following his election from Ganderbal in last year’s assembly elections. Budgam has traditionally been an NC stronghold, with the party winning here consistently since 1962, except in 1972 when Congress claimed the seat. NC Lo

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