By Jerry Choong
SHAH ALAM, Nov 7 — The ongoing 15th general election (GE15) has seen more women candidates fielded by Pakatan Harapan, compared to other political parties or coalitions.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s Wanita Keadilan deputy chief Juwairiya Zulkifli said out of the 206 seats that Harapan is contending in, 40 of these feature women candidates.
“This means women candidates consist of 19 per cent of our candidates. In contrast, Barisan Nasional’s women candidates are 22 out of 178 candidates or 12.4 per cent, and Perikatan Nasional is 16 out of 149 candidates or 11 per cent,
“Similarly, Gerakan Tanah Air is 11 out of 166 candidates or 13.8 per cent, Parti Warisan is five out of 52 candidates or 11.6 per cent, and Gabungan Parti Sarawak is four out of 31 candidates or 13 per cent,” she said in a statement.
Juwairiya said that nonetheless much remains to be done, as the target to ensure at least 30 per cent of the candidates are women has yet to be met.
“Following the nomination of candidates on November 5, the Election Commission (EC) has confirmed approximately 1,386 individuals will contest in GE15.
“Of this figure, 127 out of 945 candidates or 13.4 per cent contesting for parliamentary seats, and 59 out of 434 candidates or 14 per cent contesting for state constituency seats, are women. For the Bugaya by-election (in Sabah) one of the six candidates is a woman,” she said.
Calculated together, Juwairiya said approximately 187 candidates of the overall 1,386 are women, which is 13 per cent.
“The 30 per cent target could not be met in GE15. To this, I wish to make two proposals to reform the electoral system and the relevant laws for the future, to ensure more women candidates are raised as decision-makers,” she said.
These include the introduction of non-constituency seats, and amending the Elections Act 1958 mandating all political parties to field a minimum of 30 per cent women candidates in the next general election.
“The current election system has been in use for over six decades and has never undergone any changes. Unfortunately, this system does not provide any advantages to promoting representatives, particularly among women and vulnerable communities.
“Amending the Elections Act must be instituted so that all political parties can provide a clear and thorough commitment to ensuring at least 30 per cent of the candidates they field are women,” Juwairiya said.
She added that she holds firmly the democratic aspiration for a more inclusive society.
“This aspiration is a more inclusive system, and as a nation where half of the population are women, their voices should be held up so that none are left behind,” Juwairiya said.
The EC has set polling day on November 19 and early voting on November 15.
