Election authorities in Pakistan have ordered an inquiry into reports that women are being barred from voting in parts of conservative northwest Pakistan in the general elections tomorrow.
The Provincial Election Commissioner (PEC) has directed the District Returning Officers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Malakand Region to conduct an inquiry into the reports.
Some NGOs had submitted a written complaint with election commissioner about signing of agreements between the candidates of the political parties for barring women from voting, a spokesman for KP Election Commission said.
The Provincial Election Commissioner has also taken notice of reports appeared in a section of media about expectation of less female voting in Swabi and Batagram areas of the province.
In this connection, directives were also issued to concerned DROs and Deputy Commissioner to ensure freedom of vote casting to every citizen in the mentioned areas.
Malakand Division is consisted of Swat, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Shangla, Buner, Chitral, Malakand and Bajaur districts.
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