Kiev, Sep 21 (IANS): Pro-Russian separatists on Monday called for early local elections in November in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk, which is under their control.
Igor Plotnitsky, leader of Luhansk People's Republic, said in a statement that he has signed the decree to hold local elections on November 1, EFE news reported.
Separatists in the neighbouring region of Donetsk have also called for their elections on October 18, despite the opposition of the Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who termed local elections in the rebel territories a "farce".
Hostilities in Donetsk and Luhansk regions have ceased since September 1, when separatists and the Ukrainian government agreed to a total cease-fire.
About 8,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since the conflict began in April 2014 in eastern Ukraine.