Chandigarh, May 12: Punjab Panchayat polls for the 324 members of 20 Zila Parishads and 141 members of Panchayat Samitis in 12,705 villages started this morning, amid tight security.

Polling which started at 8:00 a. m., will continue till 4:00 p. m..

At least 88,700 employees, including around 30,000 police personnel have been deployed in the State to ensure free and peaceful elections to the Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) bodies, said an official.

Around 17,714 polling booths, including 3,700 identified as sensitive, have been set up. At least 1.51 crore voters will elect 79,849 panches during the election.

The State Election Commission has also appointed 29 observers for the election the results of which would be declared on May 14.

The elections of the gram panchayats are scheduled to be held on May 26. (ANI)