Concrete steps demanded for protection of political workers, voters

Representatives of civil society organisation have voiced concern over increasing sporadic pre-election violence in different parts of the country and demanded of the authorities concerned to take concrete steps for protection of political workers, voters, especially women to ensure their right to franchise fearlessly in the upcoming general election.
Speaking at a news conference at Peshawar Press Club on Saturday, Chairman District Committee on Status of Women (DCSW) Peshawar, Shaheen Quraish said that the attack on political gatherings in Peshawar, Bannu and Quetta is a discouraging act, which has posed great security challenges in peaceful conduct of the general elections in the country. So, she said the authorities concerned should take pre-requisite security measures to ensure the maximum participation voters, particularly women in the electoral process.
Flanked by the Aurat Foundation Programme Officer, Said Afzal, and member of the DCSW committee, Shaheen Quraish said the women participation is vital in the general election. For which, she added they are taking measures to women exercise their right to vote in a large number.
She informed that the DCSW has mandated to monitor pre-election activities and work in the targeted four districts included Peshawar, Kohat, Swabi and Bannu of under an agreement between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on Status of Women and Aurat Foundation, funded by USAID. She said the project would not only help to increase women participation in the electoral process but also preserve women's right to participate.
Said Afzal explained on the occasion that the Aurat Foundation and KPCSW had signed an agreement to support women's participation in the aforementioned four targeted district of KP for the upcoming general election. He added that his organisation will provide technical assistance to the KPCSW to constitute district committees on the Status of
Women under the Article 8-E. Furthermore, he said that the committees will help women in the targeted districts understand the KPCSW Act 2016, the Election Act 2017 as well as Pakistan's electoral system. He vowed that the Aurat Foundation is determined to use this opportunity to increase women's participation in the upcoming general elections in a large number.