Amid tight security and heightened tensions ahead of the start of staggered municipal polls in the Kashmir Valley, suspense mounted on voter participation amid militant threats to both candidates and voters. It is the first time the authorities have not publicised the names of contesting candidates in the troubled Valley.

This has been done to address the security concerns of the candidates, who remain under threat from the militants. Authorities have also ensured that all the candidates in the Valley are in a secure accommodation ahead of the poll process. The Valley's two major parties, the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are boycotting the elections.