K & P

PK-95 by-poll: ECP takes notice of bar on female voters

Contesting candidates asked to verify media reports

Our Correspondent May 09, 2015

PHOTO: APP

ISLAMABAD:

Taking exception to reports of women being barred from voting in a recent by-poll in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the election commission has sought comments from the contesting candidates to verify the news.

According to media reports, female voters in several areas of the PK-95 constituency of Lower Dir were barred from casting their votes after a consultation meeting among the tribal elders and the candidates. The by-poll was held on May 7 and the Jamaat-e-Islami’s Izazul Mulk, who was also backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), emerged victor ahead of Awami National Party’s Haji Sardar Bahadur.

The seat had fallen vacant on JI chief Sirajul Haq’s resignation as he was elected a senator.

The by-election was, however, made controversial by the reported ban on women to cast votes. The PTI spokesperson, Dr Shireen Mazari, had urged the election commission to take notice of the issue and take immediate action to order re-polling in Lower Dir.

On Friday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) taking notice of the news reports put on notice the seven candidates who contested the by-poll to verify if the media reports had any credence.

“Before any action is taken, the K-P chief secretary and the district returning officer of 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 commission in an official handout issued on Friday. The respondents have been told to file their replies by May 14.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9^th, 2015.

COMMENTS (2)

S.R.H. Hashmi | 9 years ago | Reply Instead crying hoarse over the 'misery' of Karachiites and resolve to free them of fear, I think Imran Khan should concentrate much nearer home, and on the province his party is ruling and try to free the women of fear, so as to enable them to exercise their constitutional right of vote. Just how could the election have any credence with half the population deprived of its right to vote. There was reported to be a 'gentleman' agreement not to allow women from either camp to cast votes which was followed in letter and spirit, with not even one cast reported to have been cast by women. I hope the gentlemen could find some better things to agree on. The Election Commission of Pakistan should just declare the election void and order re-election, after due inquiry of course. Karachi

OBSERVER | 9 years ago | Reply Dr Shireen Mazari, should know PTI has govt.in KP...IT WAS RESPONSIBILITY of KP govt to ensure women voters are not prevented to cast vote

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