Women stopped from voting at several polling stations

PESHAWAR: Women voters were stopped from exercising their right of franchise in the by-election in different constituencies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to reports, the areas where female voters were stopped included Zindgi Khel, Khairo Khail, Pahar Khel, Kot Kashmir, Bakhmal Ahmed Zai and Nawar Khel in National Assembly Constituency NA-27 in Lakki Marwat and Nowshera. Women voters were also barred from voting in Mianwali, Punjab.

In PP-118 Phalia, women did not cast their votes after a Panchayat passed the order against using their right of franchise.

The ECP contacted candidates in Lakki Marwat (NA-27) after the electoral body received complaints via telephone that women voters were being barred from casting ballots in by-polls. The Chief Justice Peshawar High Court also took notice of the situation, following which women were allowed to cast their votes in Nowshera.

Meanwhile the Election Commission spokesman said that stopping women from casting vote was a crime and the electoral body would count votes of women and men separately.

The ECP directed the Returning Officers at all polling stations to compile the record of women votes separately.