305 FEMALES CONTESTING

Although all the major political parties have fielded five percent women candidates on general seats, fulfilling the constitutional needs in the elections were held yesterday, most of them are contesting on less important seats for the respective parties. It is the constitutional requirement under Elections Act, 2017, to allot five percent of the total fielded candidates to women candidates. Thus 60 seats out of 342 are reserved for women in the National Assembly and 137 in the provincial assemblies. Reportedly, out of total 107, 45 political parties have awarded tickets to females to fulfill the requirement, so there are about 305 females contesting on NA general seats, also including 60 women who are in the run as independent candidates.  Many women are contesting on the provincial seats. Over 50 small political parties have not awarded tickets to females while major parties have crossed the limit of five percent. The religious parties which earlier discouraged allotment of tickets to women have also fielded a few on the general seats.