In a first, women cast their votes in North Waziristan

 

In an unprecedented move, women stepped out of their homes to vote in North Waziristan as polls opened across the country on Wednesday.

Speaking to Geo.tv, Deputy Commissioner Tribal District North Waziristan Muhammad Ayaz Khan said untoward incidents have not been reported to the area's administration. 

 

Similarly, women cast their votes for the first time in the history of Upper Dir. Queues of women could be seen outside the polling stations in constituencies NA-5 and PK-12.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had earlier said that any area where women are stopped from or face hindrances in voting could face the election in its constituency becoming invalid.

The electoral body said results of any constituency would be declared invalid should the female turnout be lower than 10 per cent. Any person found involved in or facilitating such a deal may face up to three years in prison.