SWABI: Women are actively canvassing for the contesting candidate of their families to help ensure an increased participation of their gender in the Thursday’s election.

Of the total 1,109,600 registered voters in Swabi, women voters are 516,091 compared to 593,509 men, thus making a difference of only 77,418 votes. There is no doubt more men will exercise their right to vote compared to women due to lack of education, a male-dominated society, culture restrictions and lack of interest in voting.

According to observers, a majority of sympathy votes of women would go for PTI-backed candidates. It is the first time in the history of Swabi that five women are contesting elections.

It has been observed during the last few weeks that women have continued door-to-door campaign for male and female candidates of their families, appealing to their gender to exercise their right to vote.

Mohammed Younas, former Topi tehsil naib nazim, recalled that during the local government election in 2015, he had hired services of NGO women for running his campaign, which culminated in his win.

The observers said women participation in the electoral process was increasing rapidly unlike the past. They said the election commission had made proper arrangements for women to cast their vote with ease. Nawabzada, ANP candidate for PK-50, hoped all candidates would facilitate women to come out of their houses on the Election Day to exercise their right to vote.

Meanwhile, Sitara Ayaz, independent candidate from NA-19, said: “We have to do a lot for rights of women. However, the most basic thing is providing education to girls to empower them to fight for their rights.” Addressing an election rally here on Tuesday, she said there was need for building more girl schools and colleges.

To find your constituency and location of your polling booth, SMS your NIC number (no spaces) to 8300. Once you know your constituency, visit the ECP website here for candidates.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2024