17 Nov, 19:21 (IST)

Over 70 per cent polling was recorded in panchayat elections in Jammu region, while a healthy turnout was also reported from Kashmir valley. Jammu region recorded 79.5 per cent polling, whereas there was 64.5 per cent voter turnout in Kashmir.

17 Nov, 15:22 (IST)

Polling for first phase of panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir has concluded. 85 sarpanch and 1,676 panch have been elected unopposed. Counting of votes for the remaining 420 sarpanch and 1,845 panch seats will begin soon.

Srinagar, November 17: Amid boycott calls, phase-I of the panchayat elections in Jammu & Kashmir was held on Saturday. Voting was conducted for six hours between 8am to 2pm. After the polling concludes, the State Election Commission was scheduled to begin the counting of votes. Stay tuned here for the live updates of J&K panchayat polls 2018 results.

In the polls held today, 4,584 rural seats were contested, featuring the candidatures of 6,378 candidates. While 427 candidates are vying for the 536 Sarpanch Halqas posts, the remainder are in the fray for 4,048 Panch wards.

The panchayat seats which went to polls today are spread across six districts of Kashmir Valley, seven in Jammu region and two in Ladakh.

The list of districts where voting was held are: Udhampur, Kathua, Rajouri, Kishtwar, Ramban and Poonch in Jammu; Bandipora, Kupwara, Baramulla, Ganderbal and Budgam in Kashmir Valley; Kargil and Leh in Ladakh.

Similar to the urban body elections last month, the panchayat polls witnessed a boycott by two of the most prominent regional outfits - the National Conference (NC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Both the parties, along with the CPI(M), decided not to contest the elections citing the Centre's unclear stand on Article 35(A) -- whose validity is being challenged by petitioners in the Supreme Court. The law guarantees special status to J&K, by defining who are the "permanent residents" of the state. The non-permanent residents are not allowed to buy land or property in J&K.

The separatist conglomerate - Hurriyat Conference - also appealed the Kashmir electorate to boycott the electoral process, whereas, the militants groups, including the Hizbul Mujahideen, threatened to eliminate attack those who are contesting, as well as, voting in the panchayat elections.