Electoral Laws and Gender Women and Elections

The National Democratic Institute

• • • INTRODUCTIONS/ GROUND RULES Introductions Ground rules Ice breaker exercise

ELECTORAL LAWS AND GENDER OBJECTIVES • • To understand the laws related to elections and factors that can impact women’s representation To increase awareness of the role of political parties and EMBs related to enforcement of legal framework for elections

ELECTORAL LAWS AND GENDER TOPICS • • • • Legal frameworks Factors for women’s representation Role of political parties Role of electoral management bodies (EMBs)

• • • KEY TERMS Electoral framework District size Threshold Photo: Ab Aziz Afghanistan, NDI

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

LEGAL FRAMEWORK • • International human rights instruments Regional human rights instruments

DOMESTIC LEGAL FRAMEWORK • • • Constitution Electoral Law Other legislation

ELECTORAL SYSTEMS • • • Proportional Representation Majority Vote Mixed Systems Photo: Megan Doherty, NDI

ELECTORAL SYSTEMS • • Open List Closed List Photo: Kathy Gest, NDI

ELECTORAL SYSTEMS Other Factors o Threshold o District Size Photo: NDI_RDC

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

POLITICAL PARTY SYSTEMS • • Candidate Selection Procedures Party Quotas Photo: National Democratic Institute

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

ROLE OF ELECTORAL ACTORS/ INSTITUTIONS • • • Composition Implementation   Voter Registration Voter Education Enforcement

EXERCISE: ANALYSIS OF ELECTORAL CODE 1) Review the law 2) Identify areas that support women’s representation 3) Identify areas that hinder women’s representation 4) Make recommendations for improvement

ELECTORAL LAWS AND GENDER

REVIEW

• • • • Legal frameworks Factors for women’s representation Role of political parties Role of electoral management bodies  Questions?

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