JINHA

ANKARA – The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Women's Election Coordinating Body has released its candidate criteria, based on the principle of putting women first, for the upcoming June 7^th elections.

The HDP, now  in the process of determining its candidate lists for the election of MPs to Turkey's Parliament, has long followed a total gender parity policy. The MP candidates who run in the June election will be half female. No male candidates with a history of harassment, rape or violence against women will be allowed to run. Men with a history of polygamy will also be rejected.

800 people have applied to run as candidates with the party, 200 of them women. Half of the 550 selected to run will be women.

The HDP has released a series of principles designed to secure male-female equality in the elections campaign process, including in grassroots organizing. The principles, drafted by the Women's Election Coordinating Committee, will be adapted across all election-related committees in the party.

(fk/mg/cm)