Srinagar: 36.46 percent of registered voters have exercised their franchise in the first phase of Panchayat polls in north Kashmir’s Bramaulla district till 12 am.

Elections are being held at Kunzer, Uri, Parenpillan, Noorkah and Kandi-Belt Rafiabad in Baramulla in the first phase of the nine-phased election process. An official said that 22,175 votes have been polled so far.

Polling for the first phase of Panchayat elections began in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday even as the Kashmir valley is observing a complete shutdown on the call of Joint Resistance Leadership.

At least 47 panchayat blocks will go to the polls in the first phase on Saturday in a nine-phased election process.