Separatists continue poll boycott efforts in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 9 (ANI): Separatist leader and Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference or APHC, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have again urged voters to boycott the fifthnd last phase of general elections.

Addressing a large gathering at the Jama Masjid on Friday, he urged the people of north Kashmir, who will be casting their votes on May 13, in the last and final phase, to stay away from the polling process.

"We expect that during last phase of polls, our brothers in north Kashmir regions of Sopore and Baramula will boycott the polls," Farooq said.

Earlier three phases of polling in Kashmir witnessed a low turnout compared to high polling during last year's assembly elections.

The boycott call is seen as a bid by the separatists to deny New Delhi any credit for holding an election in Kashmir.

Hurriyat's decision came after United Jihad Council (UJC), a Pakistan-based amalgam of 13-militant groups fighting Indian troops in Kashmir, asked it to support their boycott call. (ANI)