Bye-election notification issued, Hurriyat launched boycott campaign

Srinagar, Mar 31 (UNI) The authorities issued notification for bypoll in Rafiabad, Sangrama and Pattan assembly segments today, the even as the separatists started their poll boycott campaign in the Kashmir valley.

The notifications were issued by the concerned Returning Officers of these constituencies, an official spokesman said.

According to the notices forms of nomination papers can be obtained from the offices of concerned returning officers and Assistant Returning officers from today to April 7, 2006.

The last date of filing nominations papers is April 7 while they will be scrutinised next day.

The last date for withdrawal of candidature is April 10, 2006.

In the event of the election being contested, the poll will take place on April 24, 2006 from 0700 hours to 1700 hours.

Meanwhile, the breakaway Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani today launched an election boycott campaign in north Kashmir.

Appealing people to stay away from the election process, Mr Geelani said it (election) was yet another drama to mislead the world.

He said participating in the voting process under present circumstances was to help the sell out of the freedom struggle.

A number of other leaders of the breakaway HC also addressed the friday congregations at different places in al the three constituencies going to polls.

The HC led by Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) chief Shabir Ahmad Shah and Kashmir High court Bar Association have also given a poll boycott call.

Almost all the militant outfits, including United Jehad Council (UJC), Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) based alliance of 13 oufits have also directed people to stay away from the elections.

UNI BAS PR PC1916