Senedd: Warning that gender quotas could face legal challenge

Concerns have also been raised about other elements of the bill, which include plans to allow candidates to self-identity their gender.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has expressed concern that this could be “unlawful”.

The report said the majority of the committee were content with the plans and believed it was a “proportionate means of enforcing quota rules”, but it suggested safeguards should be strengthened to avoid candidates making “false statements”.

Mr Rees said: “We’ve heard concerns about whether the requirement for political party candidates to state whether they are a woman or not a woman could be open to abuse.

“To alleviate this we’re calling on the government to include this statement within the corrupt practice offence that applies to other false information on nomination forms.”

But Conservative MS Darren Miller disagreed and said the bill should include a “definition of a woman” and that candidates should be a biological woman or have a legally recognised Gender Recognition Certificate in order to stand.

However, the majority of the committee members agreed statements of gender should be accepted on face value by electoral administrators.

The Senedd is expected to debate and votes on the general principles of the bill on 18 June.

The Welsh government said: “Having received reports from both the Reform Bill and Legislation, Justice and Constitution committees, we will now consider their recommendations in detail.”