Angel Bertha Kotorok (Jubi)
Timika , 6/3 ( Jubi ) – The Papuan People’s Assembly ( MRP ) urged political parties to field qualified female candidates and not just to satisfy a 30-percent quota.
“Parties have 30 percent of women candidates only to pass the verification and take part in the elections . They randomly picked female candidates without considering their qualifications,” said second deputy chairman of MRP , Angel Bertha Kotorok , after a dialogue with women working groups, political parties and activists on Thursday ( 6/3 )
Only some of the female candidates are official members of political parties and understand politics. Woman working groups are concerned about the situation and want to provide protection to women so that would not be deceived by political parties, she explained.
“There should be a strong commitment to win legislative seats (for women). A political party cannot just field female candidates and assume they will not be able to make it to the legislature. That is wrong,” she stated.
She said she hoped the Election Commission will inform the public about election rules, so that woman coud understand.
The dialog has been conducted in 29 regencies / cities around Papua province ahead of the elections scheduled for April 9.
Meanwhile, Martha , one of female candidates from Mimika, said that she has not seen pictures of women candidates on city billboards.
“Yes, the political parties have met the administrative requirements, but is it guaranteed that a quota of 30 percent can be fulfilled? ” she questioned . ( Jubi / Eveerth / Tina)
