Candidates warned against curbing women’s suffrage

Risalpur Circle DSP draws the line for LG showdown

RISALPUR: Risalpur Circle DSP Nazir Khan has warned candidates from preventing women from voting in local government polls in the district.

Following news of women being banned from participating in by-polls in Lower Dir last week, the issue gained steam and many of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s leading political parties vowed to uphold women’s suffrage at all cost. While LG polls are around the corner, police has come out with a clear message for the regressive circles – “if you stop women from voting you will be arrested”.



While meeting LG aspirants on Tuesday, the DSP laid out a code of conduct that will be enforced during electoral activity. Khan said polling booths reserved for women will be off limits to men.

He said the display of weapons will be prohibited and candidates and their supporters are expected to uphold ethical standards during their campaigns.

He said camps will be set up at least 200 metres away from polling stations and no banners or posters should be brought inside the demarcated area, unless otherwise allowed by the relevant returning officer.

Khan said the police will come down hard on those who attempt to disrupt law and order during polling.

“The code of conduct chalked out by the Election Commission of Pakistan will be followed at all cost,” he said.

He directed the candidates to avoid vandalising public property during their campaigns and placed a ban on wall chalking and the unnecessary use of loudspeakers during the process.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2015.