ECP wants PK-95 by-election candidates to explain whether women were barred from voting

ECP has served notices to the 7 candidates contesting the by-election, asked to file replies by May 14

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday took notice of reports suggesting that female voters were deprived of exercising their fundamental right to vote in Thursday's by-elections in PK-95 Lower Dir.

“Before any action is taken, the chief secretary Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the district returning officer PK-95 Lower Dir should be directed to explain as to why, and under what circumstances, such deprivation has occurred,” the ECP media wing quoted the Chief Election Commissioner in an official handout.

Read: Women barred from voting in Gilgit-Baltistan polls

There were reports in the media that women had been barred from voting in the constituency where by polls were held earlier this week.

PK-95 seat had fallen vacant after Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq quit the provincial assembly in order to contest, successfully, in the Senate elections.

Read: CEC says it is ‘criminal’ to ban women from voting

ECP has also served notices to the seven contesting candidates to verify whether the media reports had any credence or not.

The respondents have been directed to file their reply latest by May 14.