CONVERSATION: Things to know before you cast that one party-list vote

MANILA, Philippines – On May 9, voters will choose new sets of leaders, including organizations that will earn seats through the party list.

Voters will choose one from among the 115 party-list groups on the official ballot. The winning groups earn a seat or a maximum of 3 seats in the House of representatives according to the number of votes each organization garners.

For 2016, a total of 59 seats are assigned to party-list nominees.

The system of electing representatives through the party list was introduced in the 1987 Constitution as a way of increasing minority and sectoral representation in Congress. Any party, group, or coalition receiving at least 2% of the votes cast in the exercis wins a seat, and can win a maximum of 3 seats.

A week before election day, the spotlight has so far been on presidential and vice presidential candidates. If you’re one of the voters who have neglected studying the party-list campaign this season, join Rappler’s conversation on how you can make that one vote in the party-list election count.

In our conversation on Monday, May 2, at 6 pm, we will discuss the following:

• Marginal sector representation through party lists
• Party list system as “shortcut” in Congress?
• Women and gender quota among parties
• Political dynasties, name recall and closed-list representation

Use the hashtag #PHvote. You only have one vote. – Rappler.com

Learn more about the Philippine party-list system:

• 8 things you need to know about the party list
• Which organizations are joining the party list | 2016 Elections
• 2016 party-list nominees: Taking a ‘shortcut’ to Congress?
• PH party list: Making it more representative
• Party list: Who gets to choose candidates?
• Zipper system: How to get more women elected