January 29, 2002	Tuesday	Ziqa’ad 14, 1422

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SRINAGAR, Jan 28: The All Party Hurriyat Conference said on Monday it would set up its own election commission as a first step towards holding polls for representatives to discuss Kashmir’s future in trilateral talks with Pakistan and India.

The decision to create the commission was taken during a meeting of the seven-member executive council of the APHC in Srinagar.

“With due respect to the real democratic process, the Hurriyat has decided to set up at its own level an independent, impartial and honest election commission,” the alliance said in a press release.

The commission would monitor polls to be held across Kashmir, including in Azad Kashmir. The Hurriyat did not give any timeframe for holding the proposed election.

“The elected leaders will represent the people of Kashmir in trilateral talks on Kashmir,” the release said.

The Hurriyat has long been demanding three-way talks with Pakistan and India to seek a permanent resolution of the Kashmir dispute.—AFP