Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Bossman Asare has expressed disappointment over the low number of female candidates participating in the 2024 general elections.
Speaking at a forum held on Friday October 25 at Winneba in the Central region with key religious leaders and representatives from political parties, Dr. Bossman Asare highlighted the importance of inclusive electoral participation. The forum under the theme “Enhancing the Electoral Process and Fostering Peaceful Co-existence,” aimed to discuss pressing issues surrounding the upcoming elections and promote a collaborative approach to ensuring a fair and peaceful process.
Dr. Asare revealed that only 120 women are contesting parliamentary seats out of more than 800 candidates nationwide. Despite efforts by the Electoral Commission to encourage greater female involvement in politics, including a reduction in filing fees for female candidates and persons with disabilities, participation among women remains disappointingly low.
He stressed that women’s representation in politics is essential for fostering balanced decision-making and ensuring that the needs and perspectives of all demographics are addressed in national policies.
He further emphasized that low female representation in parliament does not only affect gender equality but also limits the broader socio-political progress that diversity brings to governance. He urged stakeholders to work together to address the underlying factors hindering female participation in politics.