Equality rule will limit opportunity
Such blatant discrimination limits opportunities for both genders and curtails voters' rights to equality in choice of candidates.
If parties decide which seats to reserve for women, that will not guarantee a single female member. That leaves the idea of actual constituencies being set aside for men and women, which would be a logistical nightmare and a democratic insult. If the determining factor is not ability, other subdivisions would inevitably claim representation as a right, based for example on race or religion.
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Hide AdThe quota system is obviously inapplicable in this situation; if no female stands for a party in a reserved seat, that party's support is denied representation. The entire case is bogus; it is the inalienable democratic right of every accredited citizen to run for public office.
Robert Dow, Tranent