Srinagar, Oct 24 (IANS): The Block Development Council (BDC) elections are taking place in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday amid tight security arrangements.

The Panches and Sarpanches from across the state will cast their votes for the BDC elections.

The polling that started at 9 a.m. will continue till 1 p.m. The counting of votes will take place at 3 p.m. on Thursday.

This is the first electoral exercise in the state after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5.

There are a total of 1,065 candidates in the fray. Adequate security arrangements have been put in place for a smooth conduct of polls in the 310 polling stations.

"Security has been alerted for the BDC elections, Jammu and Kashmir police Chief Dilbagh Singh said.

The regional parties like the National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and also the congress have boycotted the polls.

Senior leaders of the NC and PDP are under arrest since August 5.

The BJP is contesting elections on 50 Panchayat segments.