PTI candidate who claims to be the winner from NA-27 denied any involvement. PHOTO: AFP
The Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) provincial office has constituted an investigative committee to probe incidents in which women were barred from voting for two National Assembly seats during the by-elections held on August 22.
“The turnout of women voters at 57 polling stations including 20 in Lakki Marwat remained zero,” said ECP Spokesperson Sohail Khan on Friday. A committee comprising deputy commissioner, district returning officer and district police officer has been formed to conduct the investigation, he added. “The committee will present their report regarding NA-5 Nowshera and NA-27 Lakki Marwat in a week.”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf candidate for NA-27, Amirullah, who claims to be the winner with a margin of over 7,000 votes, denied any involvement. “We have not used force to stop women from casting votes. In no way was I involved,” he said.
He maintained everyone is free to decide whether they want to vote or not. “Women can’t be stopped from casting their vote by force, but they cannot be forced to vote either,” he argued. He claimed women voters did show up in polling stations in Lakki Marwat to vote and their turnout was said to be around 25%. “This was higher compared to several constituencies in the province and country.”
In line with the PHC’s orders, ECP has announced re-polling for the two NA seats, but is yet to divulge when it will be held.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2013.
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