Denial of women vote: Rights groups express concern at PHC decision

ECP had declared Lower Dir by-election invalid after non-participation of women

ISLAMABAD:

Rights defenders have expressed concern over the Peshawar High Court decision declaring the by-elections of Lower Dir valid despite barring of women from voting.

A consortium of civil society organisations from across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Islamabad decided to challenge the PHC verdict, said a  statement issued here on Tuesday.

Peshawar High Court overturned the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) judgement last Thursday saying that the issue is beyond the commission’s mandate and the petition should have been heard by an election tribunal.

The statement said that constitution has been interpreted differently by lawyers, various tiers of the judiciary and the ECP. “However, it is indeed a serious setback to the zealously attained and preserved autonomy and independence of the ECP, and it could have far-reaching consequences in future elections or by-elections,” it said.

The statement further said that experts need to discuss whether the constitutionally-guaranteed autonomy of the ECP has been wrongfully challenged, or if the ECP had overstepped its jurisdiction.

The statement urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to exercise his suo motu powers in the case.

The statement, endorsed by over a dozen civil society networks including  Aman Tehreek, Insani Huqooq Ittehad, KP Civil Society Network, Women’s Action Forum, Women Writers Forum (WWF), lawyers and academicians from across the country, declared the PHC’s decision a setback to the protection of women struggle for gender justice, equal rights to participate in politics.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2016.