HERAT CITY (PAN): The Independent Election Commission (IEC) regional office in western Herat province on Monday said the polls’ legitimacy would be questioned if the women were denied participation.
Addressing a public awareness conference for women in Herat City, the provincial capital, IEC head for Herat Ahmad Zia Zia said since the beginning of the voter registration process in early June, 70,000 people received voter cards.
The recipients included 38 percent women, he said, hoping the number would increase to 50 percent. Since women constituted half of the population, elections would have no legitimacy without their participation, he argued.
Addressing the participants, provincial council member Sakina Hussaini demanded creation of voter registration centers in more areas of Herat to enable all residents to receive voter cards.
One of the major problems for women during the electoral process was insecurity, she said, calling on security institutions to take special measures to address the threat.