Women contesting for Nazim slot in the forthcoming local bodies election have asked the election commission (EC) to hold free and fair elections in their constituency, declare them sensitive and call in the army to maintain law and order.
Addressing a news conference here on Monday the women contestants said that they do not trust provincial governments as force is being employed on their behest to harass the women who were opponents of ruling party.
"We do not foresee free and fair elections and demand that the election commission should declare all the constituencies of women contestants as sensitive and give them in the supervision of army, particularly on the polling day," Khawateen Ittehad Group (KIG) demanded.
Abida Perveen, contestant for Nazim from Lahore said, "she was a political worker having affiliation with PML-Q, yet she was facing stiff opposition from party leadership who fielded a male candidate against her.
She said that she was being harassed by her party (PML-Q) MNA, Farooq Amjad Mir who she added "wanted her to quit the election in support of his fielded candidate," she alleged.
"How the election could be held on non-party basis when there is massive interference and use of resources by the Punjab government to manipulate the results in their favour.
Rubina Jaffery a contestant of Nazim from Jhang said that the police was harassing her, her relatives and supporters only because she was contesting the election. She said that she was disturbed by intolerance of male candidates who has gone to all extent to harass and intimidate their female opponent rather than supporting and encouraging them.
She also deplored the double standard of political parties who she said were vocal for women political empowerment in public meeting but were against it practically.
Balqees Begum, Farrah Deeba, Gulnar Qasim and Azra Naseem, Shamim Akhtar have also expressed similar views saying they were facing similar difficulties in their areas.
Shamim Akhtar of UC 135 said that she was so discouraged by the attitude of her male opponent who belonged to PML-Q that she decided to quit elections. She said false allegations were framed against her, her family members and supporters in order to force her out from the election.
Khawateen Ittehad Group (KIG) also asked the election commission to take measures to ensure security of female candidates and take strict action on their complaints.
Farzana Bari speaking on the occasion said that KIG has fielded 13 candidates of Nazim and 518 for other seats in the 15 districts of NWFP and Punjab.
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