Women barred from voting in PK-95 by-election at several polling stations
Jamaat-e-Islami and Awami National Party candidates are the main contenders in the election.
LOWER DIR (Web Desk) - Polling is underway in by-election in PK-95 constituency of Lower Dir amid tight security arrangements today (Thursday).
Aizazul Mulk of Jamaat-e-Islami and Haji Bahadur Khan of Awami National Party are the main contenders in the election.
More than 140,000 voters have been registered while 85 polling stations established in the region. On the occasion, the district administration has announced a public holiday in the district.
Reportedly, women in several areas have been barred from voting after consultation between tribal elders and the candidates. Voting process at Khazana polling station was also stopped due to clash between ANP and JI supporters.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shireen Mazari urged the ECP to take immediate action and order re-polling where women were denied their right to vote.
ECP must take immediate action in Lower Dir & order repolling where women have been denied their right to vote. 1/2
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) May 7, 2015
Mazari further said that her party has always opposed such actions.
2/2 PTI has always opposed denying women their right to vote & we condemn this denial taking place in Lower Dir bye election PK 95
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) May 7, 2015
The PK-95 seat had been vacant after election of Sirajul Haq as senator.
Polling would conclude at 05:00 pm.
