Kashmir parties to abide by EC decision

Kashmir-based political parties say they would abide by the decision on holding of elections, though they claimed that the current atmosphere is not conducive to polls.

Kashmir-based political parties on Wednesday said they would abide by the decision of the Commission on holding of elections in the state, though they claimed that the current atmosphere is not conducive to polls.

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A three-member Election Commission team headed by Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalswami held a series of talks on Tuesday with delegations of National Conference (NC), People's Democratic Party (PDP), National Panthers Party, CPI(M) and Congress in Srinagar.

The NC delegation led by party spokesman Abdul Rahim Rather told the Commission that people in the state have lost confidence in the democratic institutions.

He also informed the Commission that the Governor's rule was the most unrepresentative form of governance and should be replaced by a democratic set-up as soon as the situation becomes conducive to it.

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, after meeting the Commission, told reporters that steps should be taken by the government to restore the confidence of people in the democratic process before holding elections in the state.

"The Confidence Building Measures (CBM) like opening of cross Line of Control routes for trade was a welcome move but more steps have to be initiated to restore confidence of the people in democratic institutions," Mehbooba said.