ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to seek explanation from candidates of PK-95 by-election won by Jamaat-e-Islami yesterday.
Expressing concerns about barring women from the voting process, the commission will issue notice to all seven candidates and ask for explanation before taking any decision. The commission will also issue a notice to Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
There are more than 52, 000 registered women voters in the constituency, but not a single female turned up to vote, resulting in a low turnout.
JI’s Lower Dir Ameer (chief) Aizaz-ul-Mulk Afkari won the seat by scooping up 18,711 votes while Awami National Party’s (ANP) Bahadur Khan got 16,403 votes.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) candidate Anwar Khan secured just 91 votes, independent Obaiduillah Sajid 24, Liaquat Ali 17, Maulana Ziaul Haq 304, and Mirzada got 102 votes.
The seat was vacated after JI Ameer (chief) Sirajul Haq stepped down as member Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly in the favour of a senatorial seat.
Rights activists denounced the candidates for not allowing women to exercise their right to vote and called for the ECP to take notice.
ECP takes notice of barring women from PK-95 by-poll
