Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday stated that conducting the so-called polls in an internationally recognized disputed territory like Jammu and Kashmir, would always remain a meaningless exercise till Kashmiris do not get their right to decide their political future as pledged by the international community and the UN.According to a statement issued since 1947, Mirwaiz stated that Kashmiris have always rejected such futile electoral processes. Addressing a massive gathering at historic Jamia masjid, Mirwaiz stated that the staged polls in the disputed territory can never be a substitute for the right to self determination. He said that Kashmiri have not rendered innumerable sacrifices for the sake of power, but for the sake of achieving their basic political right ,the right to decide their self determination.APHC chairman said that its stand with regard to any electoral processes is clear, which is that unless the political future and dispensation of J&K is not decided, any and every state managed polls are a meaningless and a futile exerciseAsserting that in the past decade when people of East Timor, Quebec, and South Sudan have been given the right to decide their political future as wished by them why does the international community shirk from its responsibility when it comes to J&K ,a place with an area which is bigger than 42 countries on the world map.
Terming the recent statement of Pakistan foreign office regarding elections in Kashmir as based on reality, Mirwaiz said conducting polls in Kashmir was in actuality illegal as far as international laws are concerned. He said two important stakeholders of Kashmir dispute, i.e the people of kashmir and Pakistan, have already rejected the poll processes in Kashmir. Hence, the UN, OIC, European Union and international community should take this fact into account as it greatly undermine the credibility and legality of the whole process.Amid forceful slogans of “We want Freedom” “No election, No selection,” Mirwaiz said that people are fully aware about their role and responsibilities at this crucial juncture. He urged the people to shun the poll process as they have done in the past and show their unflinching commitment towards the freedom struggle.
Hailing the people of South Kashmir for rejecting the elections, Mirwaiz said that the pro-freedom loving people of Srinagar would also follow the same path as they have done in the past to show their resolve towards the movement. Meanwhile as a part of public contact programme, several Hurriyat leaders addressed public rallies in Kashmir during which the asked people to remain away from the so called election process. The senior Hurriyat leaders who addressed the gatherings include, Zaffar Akbar Bhat and Javaid Ahmad Mir at Burzhama Hazrat Bal, and Hakim Abdul Rashid at Lal Bazaar. Hurriyat has sternly criticized the arrest of Hakim Abdul Rashid after he addressed the gatherings at Lal Bazaar.