Jammu, Nov. 29 -- Jammu and Kashmir State Election Commissioner (SEC) K K Sharma on Sunday said that the first phase of maiden by-elections to vacant seats of Panchayat-level bodies has recorded 64 per cent polling turnout in Panchayat by-elections while Sarpanch by-polls also witnessed 57 per cent turnout.

SEC informed that a total of 85363 electors exercised their franchise in these historic elections, which began at 0700 hours with culmination at 1400 hours on Saturday, against 143592 electors for both Sarpanch and Panch vacant constituencies.

In the vacant Panch constituencies in Jammu Division, Ramban district recorded the highest voter turnout of 77.77 per cent, followed by Doda with 77.73 per cent while in Kashmir, Shopian witnes...