ISLAMABAD, July 26: Acting Chief Election Commissioner Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar on Tuesday again warned of cancelling elections in areas where women are being discouraged from contesting the upcoming local council elections. In a fresh warning, the CEC drew attention of notables and prominent leaders of Dir and Battagram pressurizing women not to file nomination papers to contest the local body polls that under Section 165 and 168 (a)(ii) of the Local Government Ordinance 2001, punishment up to three years, or a fine of Rs15,000 or both could be awarded to them.

Section 165 and 168 (a)(ii) describes a person guilty of exerting undue influence if he threatens, restrains or indulge in violence, inflicts damage, harm or loss to compel a person from voting or to withdraw his candidature from the elections.

The Code of Conduct for the local body polls also restrains candidates and their workers from propagating on the basis of gender, against participation of any person in the elections.

The CEC said in case any instance came to his notice that women were not allowed to contest election or cast votes as a result of mutual agreement between notables and local leaders, legal proceedings would be initiated against them and it was possible that elections in such areas be declared null and void.