SWABI: For the first time in the history of Swabi district, women candidates for the upcoming local government elections are seen busy in door-to-door campaign to secure votes.

In the past, women in several areas of the district were deprived of their right to vote but now they are busy in canvassing without any interruption in the conservative society.

In various union councils, women supporters of the candidates, both men and women, are campaigning for them. Several candidates told this scribe that their women relatives and supporters were also taking part in their election campaign.

Muzaffar Khan, a candidate for district councillor seat from Maneri Bala union council, said that his two wives and sisters were running his campaign. “This is the first time that men have realised the importance of women vote,” he said.

Gul Nabi Khan, another candidate, said that women of his family were educating womenfolk about their right to vote and its importance.

Mohammad Farooq of Saleem Khan union council said that his nephew was contesting for district councillor seat and women of his family were active in his election campaign. He said that they would visit each and every house in the area. However, the candidates admitted that some families were still reluctant to allow their women to take part in the electioneering or exercise their right to vote. “Now it is very clear that the number of women voters will be increased,” they added. They said that the women of several educated families were contesting elections and they had a bright chance to get elected on the seats reserved for women.

Local people term it a revolution in a conservative society

The local people said that Iftikhar Khan, a candidate in Batakara union council, did not have time and his wife Shaheen Bibi, who was also in the run for a reserved seat, was running election campaign for herself and her husband.

Mr Iftikhar lives in Tarbela Dam residential colony and works as a security official at a private institution. In his free time, he drives an auto rickshaw. The entire election campaign is run by his wife. It seems strange because it is an uphill task for a woman to manage all the house work, give time to children and also run election campaign in a conservative society.

“It’s a revolution from all aspects. It doesn’t matter whether they win or not,” said a candidate.

Zahir Dad, a candidate in Maneri Bala union council, said that at the initial stage it was quite difficult for his women relatives to take part in his election campaign. “Now they have learnt the tactics to convince voters,” he added. Several candidates also expressed similar views, making it clear that the scenario about women right to vote was changed in the district.

Dr Yasmeen Jasim, former MPA and district president of ANP women wing, said that they had worked hard for participation of women in the elections. “There is still need of more work by all the political parties,” she added.

Dr Yasmeen said that only ANP had an active women wing as other political parties failed to nominate office-bearers of their women wings and encourage them to work for participation of women in elections.

The members of local welfare organisations said that Election Commission of Pakistan should play active role for participation of women in the polls. The results of the elections should be declared null and void in those areas where women didn’t cast their votes, they said.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2015

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