Defying a ban by tribal leaders, more than 170 women have applied to stand in local government elections in Upper Dir and Battagram districts of NWFP, officials said on Thursday. The nominations came after the government called decisions barring women from standing and voting in the elections unconstitutional.
Khushalzada, the top election official in Upper Dir, said around 158 candidates had filed nominations for 112 seats reserved for women.
In neighbouring Battagram district, 17 women filed nominations for 18 reserved seats and local election officials said more women were expected to stand in the polls.
Khushalzada said the number of women applying to stand could rise further after the election commission extended the date for filing nominations from Wednesday until Thursday evening.
"The women have filed their nominations with full enthusiasm," he told Reuters by telephone from Upper Dir.
While women have defied the ban to register as candidates, it remains to be seen whether ordinary women in districts will defy male elders and turn out to vote on August 25.
Local officials in Hangu said tribal leaders had announced a similar decision banning women from the elections there.
Comments
Comments are closed.