Srinagar: The first phase of the local body elections in Jammu and Kashmir saw an overall turnout of 56.7% on Monday. 

However, the voting percentage in Kashmir Valley was only 8.2%.

According to data on Chief Electoral Officer Shaleen Kabra’s website, the overall figure shot up because Jammu recording 65% voting and Ladakh recorded 62%.

The National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party, the two largest political parties in the state, have boycotted the elections citing “lack of clarity” around the Centre’s stand on legal challenges in the Supreme Court to Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.

The second phase of municipal elections of Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted on Wednesday, October 10.

According to the statement released by chief electoral officer Shaleen Kabra, citizens of 11 districts of the state, including five from the Valley and six from Jammu, will cast their votes today.

To address the lower turnout in the Valley in the first phase, the Election Commission has decided to extend the poll hours from 9 to 10 hours for the second phase.