Polling for the first phase of municipal elections begins in J&K

Amid terror threats and boycott calls by separatist groups and the two main regional parties, the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polling for the first phase of municipal elections in 422 of the 1,145 wards begun on Monday morning. Unprecedented security arrangements have been put in place by the state authorities and the election commission, to ensure peaceful polls.