The participation of five women candidates in Karachi’s Cantonment Board elections has been described a positive sign, reported Aaj News on Wednesday.

Four of the women were awarded party tickets, while one woman candidate will stand as an independent.

Talking to Aaj News, Jamaate Islami's candidate Shagufta Yousuf said, “As a nation the roles of women and men are same. Therefore, using all my skills, I will work for public as a human being.”

Rubina Anjum Jamali, a candidate from the Pakistan Peoples Party, mentioned that she had won a local seat in the past too and expressed gratitude to the party chairperson for giving her another opportunity to contest the election.

Shagufta Nasreen and Rahat Baig would contest the polls from Pakistan Tehreeke Insaf and Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan respectively, while Hina Sahir would take part as an independent candidate.

The local government elections in 219 wards of 42 cantonment boards across the country will be held on September 12, while the list of successful candidates will be issued by the ECP on September 17.

Of 42 CBs where the LG polls are scheduled, 20 are located in Punjab that have 119 wards, 11 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa having 37 wards, eight in Sindh having 54 wards and three in Balochistan having nine wards, reported Business Recorder.

According to the report, the 42 CBs are: Rawalpindi Cantonment, Taxila Cantonment, Wah Cantonment, Attock Cantonment, Kamra Cantonment Sanjwal Cantonment, Mangla Cantonment, Murree Hills Cantonment, Jhelum Cantonment, Kharian Cantonment, Lahore Cantonment, Walton Cantonment, Gujranwala Cantonment, Sialkot Cantonment, Shorkot Cantonment, Sargodha Cantonment, Okara Cantonment, Multan Cantonment, Bhawalpur Cantonment, Quetta Cantonment, Zhob Cantonment, Loralai Cantonment, Peshawar Cantonment, Nowshera Cantonment, Risalpur Cantonment, Cherat Cantonment, Mardan Cantonment, Kohat Cantonment, Bannu Cantonment, Dera Ismail Khan Cantonment, Murree Gallis Cantonment (separate from Murree Hills Cantonment), Havelian Cantonment, Abbottabad Cantonment, Hyderabad Cantonment, Pannu Aqil Cantonment, Faisal Cantonment, Malir Cantonment, Korangi Cantonment, Manora Cantonment, Clifton Cantonment and Karachi Cantonment.

Following the announcement of the elections in the CB, the ECP has barred ruling parties' political leaders at the Centre and in the provinces from announcing or launching development packages in the CBs and visiting the areas, the report added.