Electoral Laws and Gender Women and Elections

1
Electoral Laws and GenderWomen and Elections
The National Democratic Institute
2
INTRODUCTIONS/ GROUND RULES

• Introductions
• Ground rules
• Ice breaker exercise

3
ELECTORAL LAWS AND GENDER OBJECTIVES

• To understand the laws related to elections and
  factors that can impact womens representation
• To increase awareness of the role of political
  parties and EMBs related to enforcement of legal
  framework for elections

4
ELECTORAL LAWS AND GENDER TOPICS

• Legal frameworks
• Factors for womens representation
• Role of political parties
• Role of electoral management bodies (EMBs)

5
KEY TERMS

• Electoral framework
• District size
• Threshold

Photo Ab Aziz Afghanistan, NDI
6
GENDER AND ELECTORAL LAWS

• Includes election law and other laws related to
  electoral process
• Gender analysis of legislation should explore
  barriers for women and men

7
LEGAL FRAMEWORK

• International human rights instruments
• Regional human rights instruments

8
DOMESTIC LEGAL FRAMEWORK

• Constitution
• Electoral Law
• Other legislation

9
ELECTORAL SYSTEMS

• Proportional Representation
• Majority Vote
• Mixed Systems

Photo Megan Doherty, NDI
10
ELECTORAL SYSTEMS

• Open List
• Closed List

Photo Kathy Gest, NDI
11
ELECTORAL SYSTEMS

• Other Factors
• Threshold
• District Size

Photo NDI_RDC
12
QUOTAS

• Reserved seats
• Quotas on party lists
• Mechanisms for enforcement

13
POLITICAL PARTY SYSTEMS

• Candidate Selection Procedures
• Party Quotas

Photo National Democratic Institute
14
CAMPAIGN FINANCE

• Costs that uniquely or disproportionately impact
  women
• Political parties receipt of public funds and
  how it is administered

15
ROLE OF ELECTORAL ACTORS/ INSTITUTIONS

• Composition
• Implementation
• Voter Registration
• Voter Education
• Enforcement

16
EXERCISE ANALYSIS OF ELECTORAL CODE

1. Review the law
2. Identify areas that support womens
   representation
3. Identify areas that hinder womens representation
4. Make recommendations for improvement

17
ELECTORAL LAWS AND GENDER REVIEW

• Legal frameworks
• Factors for womens representation
• Role of political parties
• Role of electoral management bodies

• Questions?
• Feedback?