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Home Issues Backissues Volume 32, No.2 Electoral Mobilisation and Gender: Factors Contributing to Female Indigenous Candidates in Local City and County Elections

Electoral Mobilisation and Gender: Factors Contributing to Female Indigenous Candidates in Local City and County Elections

Chiung-chu Lin
2025 / 11
Volume 32, No.2

pp.1-38
10.6612/tjes.202511_32(2).0001
Paper

Appendix

Abstract

In both Han and Indigenous electoral constituencies, the proportion of women elected to city and county councils has shown a steady upward trend. While female candidates from both groups encounter comparable challenges during their campaigns, significant differences remain. This exploratory study seeks to identify and analyze the key factors that influence Indigenous women’s candidacies in local council elections. Drawing on qualitative data collected through indepth interviews, this paper focuses on the recruitment processes of Indigenous female candidates, the structural and cultural barriers and opportunities encountered
during electoral campaigns, and the candidates’ perspectives on women’s participation in the political sphere. Findings indicate that, in contrast to the female reserved seat system implemented in Han constituencies, the effectiveness of such mechanisms in Indigenous districts is relatively constrained, functioning primarily as an incentive for candidacy rather than a guarantee of representation. Although traditional customs may limit female candidates’ participation in certain ceremonial or cultural activities, the decreasing resistance from clan structures has opened up greater space for women to engage in electoral politics. Notably, candidates who secure support from their clan networks are more likely to achieve electoral success. Electoral mobilisation in Indigenous constituencies tends to rely on an outreach strategy, involving face-to-face engagement with individual voters. Religious institutions, particularly churches, serve as critical venues for campaign activities. However, non-Christian candidates may find their outreach capacities restricted due to limited access to these communal platforms. Furthermore, proficiency in Indigenous languages has been found to enhance candidates’ ability to broaden their support base among voters.
Overall, the dynamics of clan and tribal politics significantly shape the distinctive features of Indigenous elections, underscoring the structural divergences from electoral practices observed in Han constituencies.

Keywords

Indigenous female candidate

female reserved seat system

campaign mobilisation

clan and tribal politics

gender