TIMERGARAH, March 3: Leaders of major political parties here have decided not to allow women to contest in the forthcoming local bodies by-elections, even though there are seats reserved for the women.

A meeting was held two days ago which was attended by regional leaders of the major political parties including Jamaat-i-Islami, Jamiat-i-Ulema-i-Islam (F), Pakistan Peoples Party, Awami National Party, PPP (Sherpao), Pakistan Muslim League (Q), PML(N), etc.

The meeting unanimously decided not to allow women to file nomination papers against the seats reserved for women. They also decided that women would not be allowed to cast their votes during polling.

Last date for filing of the nomination papers for the by- elections is Mar 5. During the general local bodies elections in 2001, 196 seats remained vacant out of 204. Last time only eight women managed to file nomination papers.

Under the Local Government Ordinance, 2001, six seats are reserved for women in each of the union councils. Out of these six, four are for general women and two are for women peasants and workers.

In Lower Dir, there are 34 union councils. Out of 136 seats reserved for women in general only six could be filled, whereas against 68 seats reserved for women peasants and workers only two were filled.

A participant of the meeting informed Dawn that it was against their culture that women would contest these polls. The participants believed that the local government system had failed to deliver. They added that male councillors had no status in this system then what would be the use of women participating in it.

Some social welfare organisations here have voiced concern over the decision taken by the political parties and have demanded that the Election Commission should take notice of this illegal step. They added that disenfranchising 50 percent of the population would be a great injustice to them.