The Public Voice Poll (PVP) is urging the Election Commission to utilize its constitutional and legal authority to address instances of remarkably low female turnout observed at over 70 polling stations across five constituencies during the by-elections on October 16, 2022.
Despite Section 9(1) of the Elections Act, 2017 allowing the Election Commission to declare a poll null or order a re-poll if the overall female turnout falls below 10 percent, Public Voice Poll contends that Section 9(2) grants the Commission the power to take notice of suppressed women voting at the polling station level. This section authorizes the Commission to initiate legal proceedings against individuals involved in obstructing women from voting, allowing the filing of complaints before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Furthermore, Public Voice Poll emphasizes the need for the Election Commission to instruct District Election Commissions (DECs) to conduct specialized voter education campaigns for women in areas with historically low female turnout, in accordance with Section 12 (c) of the Elections Act, 2017.
Enhancing Legal Measures and Political Accountability
Public Voice Poll also advocates for the strengthening of laws to ensure legal consequences for suppressing women’s votes at the polling station level. This includes measures to ensure that political parties and candidates take responsibility for preventing any barriers or discouragement of women voters within their respective constituencies.
Public Voice Poll recommendation is based on an analysis of Form-48 (Consolidated Statements of the Results of the Count Furnished by the Presiding Officers) from 11 National and Provincial Assembly constituencies where by-elections occurred. The forms revealed 74 female polling stations across five constituencies with a turnout below 10 percent, prompting Public Voice Poll to call for an investigation by the Commission. The objective is to enhance inclusivity in elections and deter such practices in the upcoming general elections.
Polling Stations with Low Female Turnout:
- NA-31 Peshawar-V: 43 female polling stations below 10 percent turnout
- NA-239 Korangi Karachi-I: 17 female polling stations below 10 percent turnout
- NA-24 Charsadda-II: 9 female polling stations below 10 percent turnout
- NA-22 Mardan-III: 3 female polling stations below 10 percent turnout
- NA-237 Malir-II: 2 female polling stations below 10 percent turnout
Specifically, in NA-22 Mardan-III, a female polling station in Government Girls High School Aslam Killi recorded zero turnout out of 1,348 registered voters on October 16. Additionally, two polling stations had a turnout between two and four percent, nine between four and six percent, 22 between six and eight percent, and 40 between eight and 10 percent.
