Country
UN Women Region
Electoral system type
Electoral system sub-type
Closed list
Type of legislated quotas
Method of filling seats
N/A
Ranking/ placement
Ranking/ placement details
Candidates shall alternate by sex.
Sanctions for non compliance
Lists are rejected
Lists are rejected.
Quota for input only OR input and output (quota on results as corrective measure)
Date
Quota target (level) in %
50.00
Women's representation in single/lower house in %
38.90
Legal Source (name) - Electoral Law
Electoral law, 2021 (amended same year)
Legal provisions - Electoral Law
• To make the principle of parity effective, all lists for all popularly elected positions, at all elective levels - presidential formula with their appointees, list of deputies to the national congress in the list of office-holders, list of deputies to the Central American parliament and municipal corporations in relation to the position of mayor and alderman - as well as political party authorities must be composed fifty percent (50%) by women and fifty percent (50%) by men. In the lists of deputies to the national congress and the Central American parliament, parity is applicable to both the list of office-holders and alternates and in the event that it is uneven for deputies to the national Congress, the difference between the total of men and women must not be greater than one. (Electoral law, article 74)
• The lists of candidates presented to the National Electoral Council (CNE) must use the mechanism of alternation by gender (woman-man or man-woman) in such a way that two (2) people of the same sex cannot be consecutively on the list. This mechanism must be applied to popularly elected positions at the presidential elective level with their appointees, at the elective level of the national congress in the list of office-holders, and at the municipal elective level in relation to the position of mayor and alderman; and, furthermore, in the case of political party authorities, either by direct and secret ballot election of their affiliates or in a second-tier election. Alternation is excepted, preserving parity, in the lists of candidates for substitute deputies. In the municipal corporations, the obligation of alternation and parity in the formula of candidates for municipal mayor and vice mayor is excepted. Alternation and parity in municipal corporations apply from the first alderman, who must be of a different sex from that of the candidate for mayor. (Electoral law, article 75)
• The lists of candidates presented to the National Electoral Council (CNE) must use the mechanism of alternation by gender (woman-man or man-woman) in such a way that two (2) people of the same sex cannot be consecutively on the list. This mechanism must be applied to popularly elected positions at the presidential elective level with their appointees, at the elective level of the national congress in the list of office-holders, and at the municipal elective level in relation to the position of mayor and alderman; and, furthermore, in the case of political party authorities, either by direct and secret ballot election of their affiliates or in a second-tier election. Alternation is excepted, preserving parity, in the lists of candidates for substitute deputies. In the municipal corporations, the obligation of alternation and parity in the formula of candidates for municipal mayor and vice mayor is excepted. Alternation and parity in municipal corporations apply from the first alderman, who must be of a different sex from that of the candidate for mayor. (Electoral law, article 75)
Legal Source (name) - Parity Law
Decree on the principle of parity and ranking, 2016
Legal provisions - Parity Law
• The principle of parity in electoral matters consists of the equal participation in electoral processes by fifty percent (50%) women and fifty percent (50%) men, both in positions of leadership of political parties, including the elected structures of the second degree, according to their statutes, as well as in the lists of candidates and candidates for positions of popular election. (Decree on the principle of parity and ranking, article 5)
• In the election of popularly elected positions, the principle of parity will be applicable as follows: municipal corporations: for 12 members, 6 women and 6 men; for 10 members, 5 women and 5 men; for 8 members, 4 women and 4 men; for 6 members, 3 women and 3 men. (Decree on the principle of parity and ranking, article 6)
• The mechanism of alternation consists of alternating candidates proposed for an election on the list according to their sex. In the election of popularly elected positions, the alternation will be applicable as follows: in the lists of the municipal corporations, the alternation will be applicable to the entire list or the list from the first to the last position, in such a way that if it starts with a female mayoral candidate, the candidate for vice-mayor must be a man, and vice versa, and so on until the last leadership position. (Decree on the principle of parity and ranking, article 7)
• Failure to comply with the principle of parity and the alternation mechanism in observance of these regulations will generate as a sanction, implemented by the Supreme electoral tribunal, the non-registration of: a) one or more of the lists of candidates of the internal movements of the political parties or of the movement as such, to participate in primary elections; b) the political party that does not hold primary elections, or one or more of its candidate lists; c) the independent candidacy; d) the alliance, or one or more names of candidates. (Decree on the principle of parity and ranking, article 14)
• In the election of popularly elected positions, the principle of parity will be applicable as follows: municipal corporations: for 12 members, 6 women and 6 men; for 10 members, 5 women and 5 men; for 8 members, 4 women and 4 men; for 6 members, 3 women and 3 men. (Decree on the principle of parity and ranking, article 6)
• The mechanism of alternation consists of alternating candidates proposed for an election on the list according to their sex. In the election of popularly elected positions, the alternation will be applicable as follows: in the lists of the municipal corporations, the alternation will be applicable to the entire list or the list from the first to the last position, in such a way that if it starts with a female mayoral candidate, the candidate for vice-mayor must be a man, and vice versa, and so on until the last leadership position. (Decree on the principle of parity and ranking, article 7)
• Failure to comply with the principle of parity and the alternation mechanism in observance of these regulations will generate as a sanction, implemented by the Supreme electoral tribunal, the non-registration of: a) one or more of the lists of candidates of the internal movements of the political parties or of the movement as such, to participate in primary elections; b) the political party that does not hold primary elections, or one or more of its candidate lists; c) the independent candidacy; d) the alliance, or one or more names of candidates. (Decree on the principle of parity and ranking, article 14)
M49 Code
Provisions on gender quotas (Yes/No) - Constitution
Provisions on gender quotas (Yes/No) - Electoral Law
Provisions on gender quotas (Yes/No) - Parity Law
Provisions on gender quotas (Yes/No) - Party Law
M49 Region
Local Level
true
Provisions on gender quotas (Yes/No) - Local Government Law