ISLAMABAD/MIRPUR: Enormous participation of female voters is observed at the polling stations as the voting in elections for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly concluded on Thursday.
Presence of large number of female voters at polling stations is reflective of their enthusiasm, awareness and interest in political activities and process in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Besides presiding officers and polling staff, the representatives of political parties and voters expressed satisfaction over the arrangements and the polling process.
Talking to PTV news, female voters said they were satisfied with security arrangements at all female polling stations.
"Everything was well organized and there was no mismanagement at the polling stations," said Amina Javed, a voter while casting her vote.
Asiya Bibi, while praising the arrangements at the polling booths said, "It was good to see women coming out in large numbers." 23-year-old Irum Arif, a voter, said the entire process was extremely smooth even the number of votes cast there by women was high.
A female polling agent, who asked to remain anonymous, said, "The security arrangements were good. No party supporter created any hurdle since morning. The process is going on smoothly."
"I can't walk properly and my knees are also aching but I walked 15 minutes from my home to the polling station to cast my vote,” said an old female voter.
"We believe in the equal participation of women in social and political activities as they comprise half of the population. We take female participation in elections very seriously,” she added.
"We will never allow anyone to stop women from voting," said a social worker at the polling station.
The number of women who had participated in the elections was heartening. "It is a matter of pride to see so many women make their way to polling stations to play their due role in the democratic process," she added.
'Overall polling remains peaceful'
Overall polling was held in free, fair and peaceful manner except few minor unpleasant incidents reported at some polling stations in different constituencies, said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of Azad Jammu Kashmir Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal while talking to media men at the Mirpur Cricket stadium helipad during brief whirl-wind visit to the local polling stations.
The CEC was flanked by chief secretary of AJK Raja Sultan Sikander, Inspector General Police AJK Bashir Memon, Mirpur Divisional Commissioner Raja Amjad Pervez Ali Khan, DIG Mirpur range Sardar Gulfraz Khan, Brig. Faisal, DC Chudary Amjad Iqbal, SSP Raja Irfan Salim and other senior officials of the AJK Election Commission and the State government.
The CEC continued that those involved in minor unpleasant incidents at few of the polling stations were booked on the spot and punitive action has been initiated against the perpetrators.
The Chief Election Commissioner pointed out that despite heavy turnout crowd of the voters at several of the polling stations, the polling remained very peaceful in free and fair manner. He said that the Election Commission made adequate arrangements coupled with every possible facilities to the voters to exercise their right of franchise in absolutely free, fair and peaceful environment.
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