Ulema want women to participate in polls

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): Religious scholars in southern Ghazni province on Sunday asked women to participate in the April 5 elections and support candidates of their choice.

The call came at seminar organised by the Independent Election Commission (IEC).  Scholars said women and men had equal rights and both should take active part in elections.

Regional IEC chief, Shah Jahan Sarwari, said the main objective behind seminar was to encourage Ghazni residents to vote in the presidential and provincial elections.

He advised ulema to extend public awareness programmes to mosques and other religious places. “Religious scholars and tribal elders can play a vital role in promoting awareness about elections,” the IEC official believed.

They should discharge their responsibilities, Sarwari said, adding the panel would holding more such events in other provinces.

Religious scholar Maulvi Alizada told the participants: “Women’s rights are very clear in Islam; people should allow females to cast their votes in the presidential and provincial elections.”

A tribal elder from Ghazni City, Haji Abdul Hakim, urged the government to ensure security around polling stations so that women felt safe in exercising their franchise.

Governor Musa Khan Akbarzada assured Afghan security force would protect all polling stations. “The situation has improved in Ghazni and local forces are trying to further improve it,” he concluded.

mds/mud

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