<span style="color: #222222;">In Jammu and Kashmir, polling for the first phase of panchayat elections concluded peacefully. According to  Chief electoral officer, Shaleen Kabra  74.1 percent polling was recorded in this phase across the state. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In the Kashmir region an overall 64.5 percent voter turnout was recorded. Polling was held in 16 blocks spread over six districts of central and north Kashmir in this phase.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> In the Ladakh division, election was held in only 20  Panchayats, which recorded 60 percent while Kargil recorded 77.7 percent voting. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In Jammu region, polling held in 29 blocks of seven districts was 79.5 percent. Four blocks of Udhampur district recorded highest 83.62 percent while there was 81 percent polling in two blocks of Kathua district.  </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, State Governor Satya Pal Malik has complimented the civil and police administration for their commendable role in ensuring a smooth and peaceful first phase of Panchayat polls across the state.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The 2nd phase polling is scheduled on November 20th. The elections are being held in nine phases across the state. </span><br />''