Dominican Republic to have more female electoral candidates

The Dominican Republic has passed a law requiring all political parties to choose women for twenty five per cent of their candidates for congressional or local elections.

Correspondents say it's one of the first Latin American countries to do this.

The measure is part of a series of electoral reforms which are due to be announced by the President, Leonel Fernandez, in the next few days.

The reforms will also allow for state funding for some political parties and for Dominicans living abroad to vote in future Presidential elections.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service