J-K Coordination Committee appeals to people to boycott polls

Srinagar, Nov 16 : The Jammu and Kashmir Coordination Committee on Sunday appealed to the people of the State to totally boycott the Assembly polls, first phase of which is going to be held on Monday in 10 constituencies of Bandipora, Ladakh and Poonch districts.

The meeting of the Committee was held here today and presided over by Mian Abdul Qayoom (President Bar Association).

While talking to the media, Qayoom maintained that holding of polls in the occupied territory was intended to sabotage the ongoing liberation struggle. He also said that anti poll posters have been dispatched to all districts of Kashmir valley urging people to boycott the polls.

The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Hurriyat leaders, Maulana Abbas Ansari and Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi, are still under house arrest.

Farooq and senior Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Gilani appealed to Kashmiri people to massively march towards Bandipora to reaffirm that they rejected holding of polls and their sacrifices were intended to secure inalienable right to self-determination.

The campaigning for the first phase of elections concluded on Saturday. As compared to the 2002 Assembly elections when only 40 candidates were in fray for these 10 constituencies, 102 candidates are contesting this time. t is notable to mention here that 10 constituencies going to polls in the first phase, 233 rallies and public meetings were held during the campaign. These include 177 in Bandipora, 46 in Poonch, seven in Kargil and three in Leh district.

Thirty-seven candidates are going to fight for the three assembly constituencies of Poonch district, which is going to the polls in the first phase of elections. Polling officers said that security arrangements are being reviewed on a regular basis to ensure free and fair elections in the state. ccording to reports, committees have been constituted to monitor the enforcement of the model code of conduct at various levels. The seven-phase polling in Jammu and Kashmir will begin from November 17 and end on December 24 to replace the Governor's rule imposed after the Congress party-led coalition government fell in July over the Amarnath shrine land transfer row. By Fayaz Ahmad

ANI