Experts have termed the recent local government elections in former-FATA a historic moment, as it was the first-time people from the tribal districts, including many women, voted in local government elections.
The Pashtun Belt and, particularly erstwhile FATA, have historically been considered a region with a conservative mindset, where women are supposed to remain at home -- away from the public sphere. Many reports in the past have claimed that women in the newly formed districts are deprived of their right to vote and right to education. However, results of the recent elections suggest a changing mindset in the region.
Besides a reasonable ratio of female voters across the tribal areas where elections were held, for the first time ever many women candidates contested the polls with the support of their families.
While talking to the Friday Times, Bakhat Zari of Bajaur, who won the Women Councilor seat, said that for the first time during local elections, people were eager and unafraid to cast their votes.
"Local bodies elections will solve issues of the deprived people in ex-FATA and far-flung area citizens who had not approached an MNA [Member of the National Assembly] or MPA [Member of Provincial Assembly] to solve their problems," she said.
Zari stated that she ran for local government with a motive to resolve the issues of women around her. She said that the voting ratio of women was unexpectedly high - a good omen for peace in the region.
Interestingly, Zari who ran as an independent candidate for a general counselor seat, beat another woman for the seat by 55 votes.
She hoped to use her seat in office to highlight the issues of the masses and work for people's betterment.
Meanwhile, commenting on the matter, Special Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Omer Hameed Khan said that the spirit of the masses was praiseworthy in the first phase of local elections in KP, adding that the turnout was also very high and people have shown an interest in their representation.
Free And Fair Election Network (FAFEN), while commenting on the elections, said that overall elections were peaceful. However, low turnout was recorded in Tehsil Tall in the Hangu District. The highest turnout was recorded in Tehsil Dera Ismail Khan.
Another ECP spokesperson affirmed that the local elections were held in a peaceful environment and voters were satisfied with the arrangements done by ECP to facilitate voting.
Moreover, he added, women took part in the election and decided their fate for the future. The excitement and spirit of tribal local was praiseworthy, noted the official.