Four districts of south Kashmir, where polling is being held today, observed a shut down following a call given by hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
Shops, business establishments and petrol pumps were shut while public transport was off the roads, officials said.
The effect of the strike was accentuated due to the holiday declared by the Election Commission on poll days in the respective constituencies.
Geelani had last week asked people to observe "civil curfew" on April 24, 30 and May 7 when voting will be held for three Lok Sabha constituencies of Anantnag, Srinagar and Baramulla respectively.
