Khanyisile Nkosi and Namhla Tshisela

Khanyisile Nkosi and Namhla Tshisela

Women are more likely to vote for a male candidate - even though they feel they can do a better job.

This is according to research conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on the electoral process on behalf of the IEC last year.

Research director Mbithi wa Kivilu said women showed more confidence in male politicians than their female counterparts.

Wa Kivilu said while 26percent of females indicated that women made better politicians than men, they also revealed that they "would not" vote for them.

A total of 37percent of women said their needs would be better addressed if there were more men in politics, while 40percent of men said women would do a better job.

"The reason could be that politics is dominated by men, which leaves women with not much to choose from," said Wa Kivilu.

The results were released in Midrand, Johannesburg, yesterday.

Nana Ngobese, founder and president of Women Forward, a new political party representing women's interests, said the findings were a cause for concern.

"This means women need to make themselves more visible and be seen to be independent."

The study found that about 80percent of eligible voters will vote in the elections this year.

It found that 79percent of the 3885 participants - older than 18 - were interested in voting.

Mosotho Moepya of the IEC said the number was expected to increase after the final registration exercise for the voter's roll this weekend.