Balanced representation of genders in lists of candidates

1. Lists of candidates put forward under this Act for elections to Congress, municipal elections and elections to Insular Councils of the Canary Islands or to European Parliament or Legislative Assemblies of Self-Governing Communities, shall have a balanced proportion of women and men, so that candidates of either sex make up at least 40 per 100 of total membership. Where the number of seats to be covered is less than five, the ratio between women and men shall be as
close as possible to equal balance.

In elections to Legislative Assemblies of Self-Governing Communities, the statutes governing their respective electoral system may contemplate arrangements in favour of a larger presence of women in the lists of candidates to said elections.

2. The same 40 per 100 ratio shall be kept in each five-seat bracket of the whole list. Where the last bracket is less than five, said ratio of women to men shall be the nearest possible one to equal balance, provided that the mandatory proportion for the whole list is preserved.

3. The rules of the preceding subsections shall also apply to the alternates’ lists.

4. Where candidates to Senate are grouped in lists according to Section 171 of this Act, those lists shall also have a balanced ratio of women and men, so that the total proportion is as close as possible to equal balance.

 SECT. 4 BIS ADDED BY 2ND ADDITIONAL PROVISION. OF INSTITUTIONAL ACT 3/2007, OF
MARCH 22