Under a decision by the tribal elders, the women voters were barred from casting vote in the by-election to NA-26 constituency of Bannu district on Thursday.
Except few polling stations, located in the limits of Bannu city all other polling stations gave a desert look, as there were neither female voters nor any female polling agents of any candidate.
However, the female polling staff along with required election material was present, locking the doors of booths from inside. "All the tribal elders, irrespective of their political affiliation, ideology and party manifesto regarding women rights had agreed in a meeting that no woman would be allowed to cast her vote in the election," the polling agents and other people told at majority of polling stations during the visit of newsmen representing national press from across the country.
"The women have been banned due to a number of reasons first being illiterate and having no decision power, second having national identity cards with no photograph that could be used for casting bogus votes, third for cultural restrictions, etc.
"The bogus vote casting through such NICs had created law and order situation in the past and since then the notables of various tribes had decided unanimously not to bring or allow any woman to cast vote," the polling agents of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) and Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) candidates told.
Their contention was also confirmed by Zafar Ali Khan, District President of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) at polling station No: 261. Despite such restrictions, women voters were seen casting vote at five polling stations in the city limits.
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