The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) on Wednesday condemned the conduct of Returning Officers and District Returning Officers with the women candidates at the initial stages of the scrutiny of nomination papers.
NCSW also expressed dismay over the sexiest remarks made by ROs and DROs about women candidate’s by asking them about age, looks, and even the wisdom of standing for election. In addition, NCSW was informed that the papers off a women candidate were rejected by the RO in clear violation of the law for not being on the local electoral list when she was a registered voter from another area. Her financial situation constrains her from appealing in the tribunal.
In a statement, NCSW informed that even after the acceptance of her papers by the Election Tribunal, Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza is being served notice on a daily basis and asked to respond to complaints on issues already cleared by the relevant authority i.e. the State Bank of Pakistan, adding that the notices have been issued to her husband also who is not a candidate. The SBP has already objected to the ECP for the unlawful behavior of the RO, but with no action thus far from ECP against the RO.
NCSW strongly condemned the most recent case of information by politico religious elements whereby the sole woman candidate from FATA has been forced to withdraw her candidature. NCSW urges the ECOP to take effective steps to stop the harassment, intimidation and manipulation of women’s participating in this first democratic transition in Pakistan’s history.
