KUALA LUMPUR – DAP is gearing itself for its largest party election to date next weekend, a process that will also for the first time feature at least 30% of women in its top leadership.
It will be the first political party in the country to set such a quota for women’s representation in its highest decision-making body, the central executive committee (CEC).
The polls, which will be held together with its congress on March 20, will also see an unprecedented 30 party members elected into the CEC as opposed to 20 previously.
The changes follow amendments to the party constitution first passed during its national convention in December 2014, but only recently implemented.
DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke said the coming congress, which had been postponed a couple of times due to the pandemic, will see a record 4,149 delegates taking part, its largest on record.
The increase in delegates is due to the addition of several new party branches following the 2018 general election.
According to Loke, the delegates will be voting to elect 30 members into the CEC out of 93 nominated candidates. Of the 93 individuals, 75 are men and 18 are women.
“Also for the first time, at least 30% or nine seats will be reserved for women, following amendments to our party constitution,” he told a press conference here today.
Loke explained that even if the top candidates with the highest votes do not comprise enough women representatives, there is a guarantee that women outside the top 30 with the highest support will be elected into the CEC to fulfil the quota.
His announcement of the effecting of the party constitutional amendments comes just a day after the country celebrated International Women’s Day yesterday.
The new leaders elected into the CEC will serve from 2022 until 2025. They will also elect from among themselves who will serve in some of the key positions in the party.
The post that will get particular public attention is the secretary-general position currently held by Lim Guan Eng.
He is already in his third and final term, which means a new face is expected to be elected.
Rumours are rife that Loke is gunning for the much sought-after post, although the Seremban MP today declined to respond to questions on the matter, saying it would be unfair for him to campaign at this period.
Lim, meanwhile, remains in the running for other positions in the CEC, with his name being among the 93 nominated candidates.
DAP has appointed independent auditing firm Grant Thornton to conduct and operate its March 20 election, in a bid to ensure transparency. – The Vibes, March 9, 2022
