Andi Hajramurni, Makassar, South Sulawesi – In an attempt to attract female voters, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has vowed to increase the number of its female legislators to 15 from the current three.

Speaking at the sidelines of the party's national congress in Makassar on Monday, party chairman Tifatul Sembiring said the party had decided to allocate 15 seats at the House for women in the 2009 election. The party only placed one female legislator in the House of Representatives in 1999 and three in 2004.

"We will give women more chances to become House members. We will also allocate 36 percent of our legislative candidates to women both at the regional and national levels, for next year's election," he said.

The target will exceed the minimum quota for women legislators of 30 percent as set by law, PKS head of the women's section Ledia Hanifah said.

Aside from giving more room for women, the party, which reiterated a target of gaining 20 percent of votes in the upcoming election, also said it welcomed people from outside the party to become legislative candidates as long as he or she met party requirements.

The requirements include understanding PKS's vision and mission, agreeing on the party's platform and possessing an excellent track record within society.

The party gained over 7 percent in the 2004 election, placing 45 lawmakers in the House.

Tifatul said PKS also prioritized young people in becoming legislative candidates, with the party allocating 80 percent of them being between 30 and 50 years, 10 percent below 30 years and over 50 years, respectively.

He said more than 80 percent of PKS legislative candidates hold a bachelor's degree.

The party's national congress, which will last until Thursday, will consolidate steps and discuss strategies to achieve the target.