LAKKI MARWAT: Speakers at a session have called for increasing women’s participation in the local government elections, saying that casting vote in election is the fundamental and constitutional right and women cannot be deprived of it.

The session was arranged by Trust for Democratic Education with the support of Free and Fair Election Network at the Bannu Press Club on Friday. Social activists and representatives of NGOs participated in the function.

Matters related to women’s participation in active politics and problems being faced by them were discussed on the occasion. The participants also discussed problems of the working women and urged mediapersons to highlight their issues.

Ms Maryum Fareed, Yasir, Faheem Khan and other speakers said that women had the right to vote in elections and it was the responsibility of the family heads to allow them to exercise their right freely.

They called for enfranchising women and facilitating them to use this right in the local government elections on Sunday (tomorrow). They said that the Election Commission of Pakistan should nullify the election results in constituencies where women were barred from casting their vote.

Meanwhile, assistant commissioner Umer Bin Riaz handed over cleaning equipment to the municipal administration at a ceremony in Lakki Marwat city on Friday.

The provincial government has arranged the equipment, including mechanical sweeper, dumper trucks, waste containers and dustbins, under the annual development programme.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Umer said the government was committed to providing a clean environment to citizens.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2021