LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday stayed final result of the local government election held in a union council of Nankana Sahib where women were not allowed to cast their vote.

Justice Farrukh Irfan Khan passed this order on a petition of a voter, Rukhsana Abbas, and also sought a reply from the Punjab chief election commissioner.

During the course of hearing, the petitioner`s counsel stated there were 296 women voters in ward No 1 of UC-51.

However, during the second phase of the polls, women were not allowed to cast votes.

He alleged the UC candidates restricted women from participating in polling.

Justice Khan took notice of the incident and observed that citizens could not be deprived of their right to express. The judge lamented that people were being pushed to Stone Age in the 21st century.

The judge restrained the ECP from notifying returned candidates of the constituency and sought a report on the matter.-Staff Reporter