Senior Indian election officials Wednesday held talks in held Kashmir on the prospects for polls in the region which has recently witnessed the largest protests against Indian rule for years. A three-member team led by Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalswami were briefed by state officials on the current law and order situation, a government statement said.
Indian held Kashmir was put under federal rule in July following the collapse of the state government over a land row that triggered a revival of anti-India fervour in the insurgency-wracked region. Elections are due before January 10 and Gopalswami's commission must decide whether to go ahead with a ballot or postpone until 2009.
The recent protests have forced pro-India parties to suspend their activities in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley. Over the past three months they have not organised any public gathering.