The Alliance for Protection of Human Rights (APHR) has demanded of the newly elected National and provincial legislators to take up women disenfranchisement in the recent polls and peace and security issues in the province on a priority basis.
According to a press, the demand was made by the APHR members, Aurat Foundation, Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO), Human Resource Management and Development Centre (HRMDC), Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Khwendo Kor (KK), Shirkat Gah, Sungi Development Foundation and Noor Education Trust.
The APHR members welcomed the newly elected National and provincial legislators, and hoped they would bring about a positive change in the province.
The rights body said that it was the constitutional and basic right of every citizen to exercise the right to franchise. However, some elements in every election had always tried to bar women from voting, which was a crime, it said.
In the recent elections, the release said, in district Peshawar, Malakand, D.I.Khan, Dir Lower, Swabi, Shangla, Kohistan, Batagram, Charsadda and also in the tribal areas, women had been deprived of their right to vote. The alliance demanded a strong action and legislation to stop this illegal practice forever.
Expressing concern over peace and security issues, the alliance said in the recent past the region had seen the worst law and order situation with state symbols, law-enforcement agencies, civil society and even the common citizen becoming the victims of terrorist attacks. Because of this uncertain situation, security was the topmost concern of the public today and hence immediate steps should be taken to cope with the issue, said the alliance.-PR