Pak Elections: Did Taliban Target And Attack Female Polling Agents?

The Pakistan-based National Democratic Movement (NDM) party's chairman, Mohsin Dawar, shared on Twitter that three female polling officers were attacked by the Taliban during the ongoing elections. A blast took place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Tappi, where the three female officers were targeted but they managed to escape narrowly. The NDM leader urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to take notice of the security situation in Tappi urgently.

Three of our female polling agents in Tappi has been attacked by Taliban. They have escaped the blast very narrowly. I had written to the DRO to change the polling stations in Tappi but my letter was ignored. The ECP has to take notice of the security situation in Tappi urgently.

— Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) February 8, 2024

Earlier today, five policemen on election duty were killed in terror attacks in different regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to Reuters, six others were also injured when unidentified gunmen set off a bomb and then opened fire at their vehicle deployed for election security in the province bordering Afghanistan. On the eve of polling day, a twin bomb attack shook the nation, killing over 30 people. 

Controversial Elections Grip Pakistan

NDM leader Mohsin Dawar said that the Taliban targeted and attacked female polling officers in Tappi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Taliban allegedly took over several female polling booths and attacked the officers during the election. Three women officers had a narrow escape after the blasts, Dawar said.

Chairman @mjdawar of @NDM_Official shares serious concerns about the Taliban having taken over polling stations in Tappi, N. Waziristan in NA-40. The DRO ignored Chairman Mohsin Dawar's letter about the security situation in Tappi. @ECP_Pakistan has to take immediate notice. pic.twitter.com/oXj1p9tddQ

— Khushal Khan (@Khushal_Khattak) February 8, 2024

Militant attacks took place in the region on polling day, February 8, killing five polling booth guards and injuring several others. According to BBC, land borders have been shut and mobile services have been cut off for security reasons. The 2024 general elections in Pakistan have been deemed one of the most controversial polls in the country. 

On February 7, over 30 lives were lost in a massive twin bombing in the restive southwestern Baluchistan province. It was allegedly carried out by the militant group Islamic State (IS), who claimed responsibility. There have been violent incidents in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces for weeks before the polls.