BEIRUT: Although parliamentary elections appear to be headed for a postponement, the number of declared female candidates has risen substantially, an alliance of activists said Wednesday.

 

The Women’s Alliance for Parliament 2013 said that 43 women had registered for the polls out of a total of 706 candidates.

 

“It’s not the number we hoped for,” said a statement issued by the group, “but in a comparison between 2009 and 2013, the numbers confirm that women are energetic and insistent on taking part in political life.”

 

The group said only 12 women presented their candidacies in the last parliamentary round. The legislature, however, is scheduled to convene

 

Friday for a vote on extending Parliament’s mandate, which would do away with the polls, currently scheduled to take place next month.