October 10, 2002	Thursday	Sha’aban 3, 1423

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PESHAWAR, Oct 9: In some areas of Swabi district the conservative elders, in connivance with some candidates, have conspired to deprive the women of their right to vote, as happened in the local bodies elections.

Participation of the women voters, said a local teacher, in the coming elections seemed to be doubtful in some union councils of the district.

It may be recalled that women voters had been barred from casting their votes in the local bodies elections, held last year. The same gender-bias prevailed in the villages like Kunda, Shahmansoor, Toor Dheri and other rural areas of the district, while the men were enthusiastically campaigning for their favourite political parties.

According to articles 51 and 106 of the Constitution,  the adult women citizens have the right of franchise.

A teacher, who had been appointed as presiding officer, told Dawn that the “same situation is going to be repeated in the villages around Swabi and even in the main town, as it is already decided by the elders of these union councils that there would be no women’s polling.”

Last year, the male candidates for the local bodies elections signed agreements on the stamp papers to ensure that the women would not be allowed to vote. Those who signed the agreement also vowed that the violators of the agreement would be heavily fined and ostracised.

A report, Citizen’s Campaign for Women’s Representation in Local  Government, published by the Aurat Foundation, said the union councils where the agreements were signed against the women’s right to vote included Malabat, Bam Khel, Alsharqi Topi, Marghaz and Sheikhjana localities of Swabi.

Some Ulema of Swabi had even issued an edict against the women candidates.

Asma, an 18 year old girl, complained that because of the inefficiency of National Database and Registration Authority she would not be able to cast her vote.

Many women of these union councils have already been barred from voting because of having no ID cards. 

No woman is contesting from this district as the women are discouraged by the men from participating in politics.

The local women have appealed to the Election Commission and  the government to ensure safe and free polling.