Rise in number of female election candidates

Controversial moves to force political parties to put more women candidates up for election appear to be working, campaign groups say.

With some 250 candidates still to be selected for the upcoming general election, 89 women have so far been chosen to run, which tops the 86 female candidates who ran in 2011.

The figures have been compiled by the non-partisan group Women For Election, which is encouraged by the shift.