ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) has demanded a level playing field for everyone - including women - in the upcoming Gilgit Baltistan (GB) elections 2020.

“It is shocking that not only are women being disallowed to submit papers in their respective areas, but they have also not been given proper security despite several threats,” PPP Parliamentary leader in the Senate Sherry Rehman said on Thursday.

She said PPP’s Sadia Danish needs better security as the GB administration has clearly told her she’s under threat. She has also been told not to submit her papers in the Diamer area, where she’s contesting but to submit the same elsewhere,” added the Senator.

“Part-1, A(6) Code of Conduct for the GB elections 2020 clearly states that ‘Political Parties shall endeavour to provide equal opportunity to its qualified members both men and women to participate in the electoral process.”

Then why are women being denied submitting their papers in their respective areas? It is a violation of the Code of Conduct, added the Senator.

She pointed out that The Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) has also urged the Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan (ECGB) to take appropriate measures to further improve voters’ access to polling stations, particularly of women, for the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly election.

Commenting on the strong presence of women in GB, the senator observed that women votes in the GB region were very strong and must be respected at all times.

“They are also0 deprived of their basic rights in some parts of the region, especially in Diamer. It is our duty and responsibility to make sure that women have been given all the rights in contesting the elections,” she said.

She also said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had made it clear that nobody would be allowed to snatch women’s right to vote in the GB elections.

“Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto fought to empower women all over Pakistan and we must continue her legacy. PPP has introduced democracy in this mountainous region, and we will ensure women thrive and prosper in the upcoming GB elections,” she remarked.

She said Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur has been illegally visiting and campaigning in GB, in an open violation of the election rules in GB.

According to the Election Act 2017, the federal government is not allowed to campaign on the ground. On top of all this, the PM had also decided to add to this flagrant rigging and misuse of federal resources by landing in GB to campaign last week,” added the senator.

Senator Sherry Rehman, who is also PPP Vice President, said PPP had and would always stand by the women of GB. “Our party will make sure that women are being given equal opportunities in the electoral process. We want to empower our women, not disenfranchise them from the elections,” she asserted.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2020