Out of over 6,000 candidates, only 275 women secure political parties’ tickets for Feb 8 elections

Only 275 women out of over 6,000 candidates managed to obtain tickets from the political parties for the upcoming February 8 general elections, according to the report of Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The report, based on the List of Contesting Candidates (Form-33) for National and Provincial Assemblies, indicated that 111 political parties have nominated 275 women candidates to contest the polls on general seats, making up for 4.6 percent of the total of 6,037 candidates they have fielded.

However, the Elections Act, 2017 directs all political parties to ensure at least five percent representation of women candidates while selecting candidates for general seats, including national and provincial assemblies.

According to the report, out of 111 parties, only 30 fulfilled the requirement of 5 percent of women candidates, while four political parties fielded 4.50 to 4.99% of women candidates in general seats.

The remaining 77 parties have fielded up to 4.5pc women candidates for general seats.

Almost 94 parties have allocated 1,872 tickets, including 92 women, for national assembly seats, making up 4.91 percent of the total women candidates.

Punjab came in the first spot as 70 parties allocated 1,872 tickets, including 58 women (3.09%), followed by Sindh where 50 parties fielded 984 candidates, including 59 women (6.22%).

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's (KP) 44 parties have fielded 806 candidates, including 47 women (5.83%).

37 parties of Balochistan have allocated 533 candidates, including 19 women (3.56%).