PESHAWAR: Although politicians who contested by-polls in PK-95, Lower Dir-II earlier this month may tell a different story, women voters have confirmed they were not allowed to vote during the elections.

Around 12 women from the constituency approached Peshawar High Court on Monday, through a petition, asking for the election to be declared null and void and to unseat Jamaat-e-Islami’s elected candidate.

In the petition submitted through their counsel Shahab Khattak, the women made the Election Commission of Pakistan respondent through the chief election commissioner, provincial election commissioner, returning and district returning officers. Other respondents included the winning and losing candidates.

Various reports from the constituency revealed that not a single woman cast her ballot on the day of polling on May 7. The seat fell vacant after JI Amir Sirajul Haq was elected to the Senate. Fellow party member Izazul Mulk emerged victorious after edging out Awami National Party’s Haji Bahadar Khan.

Denied a fundamental right

The petitioners stated women comprised about half of the voters in the constituency, saying they were denied a fundamental right. They pointed out the chain of events was in violation of The Representation of People Act 1976.

“The matter has caused much disappointment among the public at large and set a wrong precedent. There is fear that the same practice will be used in local government elections in various constituencies” the petition reads.

It further stated social organisations conducted a fact-finding survey of the election and reached the conclusion that it was an agreement between the candidates that deprived women of their right to vote.

The petitioners further said the total number of votes was revealed through a consolidated statement by the presiding officer of PK-95 and clearly showed that not a single woman had voted.

“The candidates made the decision that women of the constituency would not be allowed to cast their ballot and special arrangements were made for this purpose. It included creating an atmosphere of fear and non-availability of women polling staff,” the petition reads.

The court was requested to declare the election of PK-95, Lower Dir-II null and void and to unseat the victorious candidate. The PHC was also requested to issue an appropriate order for fresh polls and ensure the participation of women in the election.

Who, me?

Just recently, JI chief Sirajul Haq clarified that he had, in fact, appealed to women in Lower Dir to come out and exercise their constitutional right to vote.

Addressing a party meeting in Khal tehsil, Lower Dir, he said, “It wasn’t just women voters from JI; women from JUI-F, ANP and other political parties did not vote either.”

He said JI would only issue party tickets to those local government candidates who had given their sisters and daughters their complete property rights. He added the party would ask the candidates for proof in the form of certificates.

ANP parliamentary leader Sardar Hussain Babak had also told The Express Tribune just after the elections that women of Lower Dir traditionally never came out to vote. He said they could have been convinced to vote if there were separate polling stations for them.

The total number of men registered to vote was 86,000, while the count for women was 54,000.

By Our Correspondent, The Express Tribune