RAIPUR: In a state with an impressive gender ratio, women voters outnumber male voters by over a lakh in Chhattisgarh, reflecting the active participation of women in the democratic process.
It could significantly impact voter turnout and election results, despite opposition parties raising concerns about unfulfilled promises regarding liquor bans in the state, which directly affect the lives of women.
Women are often considered primary victims of crimes committed under the influence of alcohol, which is widespread in Chhattisgarh.
While women in tribal and remote regions may consume liquor as part of their culture, demands to impose a ban on liquor have been high, a promise made by the Congress in its 2018 poll manifesto that remains unfulfilled.
The phenomenon of women voters outnumbering men is not new, especially in tribal districts, where women enthusiastically exercise their right to vote.
Renowned political analyst and former state election commissioner Sushil Trivedi mentioned that the local panchayats, with 50 percent reservation for women, directly influence the trend of higher female voter participation in Chhattisgarh’s political and democratic processes.
Trivedi stated that this has been an ongoing process for years.
According to the state election commission’s records, women voters in Chhattisgarh outnumber male voters standing tall at 1,02,39,410, totaling 20,380,079 voters, with 1,01,20,040 male electors and 790 transgender individuals.
The latest figures after the second summary revision show an increase of 7.19 lakh compared to the first summary revision.
In the 2018 assembly polls, the number of women voters was around 7,646,382, slightly less than the number of male voters at 7,753,337.
However, the overall voter turnout was 76.88%, with male voter turnout at 75.67% and female voter turnout at 78.11%.
Experts believe that Chhattisgarh is a state where women play a dominant role, often being the breadwinners of their families.
Women-oriented schemes, support for self-help groups of women, and free education for girls up to graduation are considered key factors empowering women to actively choose their leaders.
In the 90 assembly constituencies, women voters outnumber men in nearly 58 seats, including tribal and scheduled caste seats. Hence, when women voter turnout is higher than men, it becomes a notable factor influencing election results.
For this, many women-friendly schemes and opportunities launched by the government are believed to be responsible, making women socially, personally, and economically independent.
The higher turnout of women voters is seen as the impact of welfare initiatives like Mukhyamantri Supashan Abhiyan, aiming to create a malnutrition and anemia-free state. Additionally, women empowerment policies have led to lakhs of women becoming financially independent, and budget allocation under the Mahila Kosh project has encouraged them to take loans.
While the BJP believes that the higher number of women voters indicates more dissatisfaction with the Congress for failing to impose a liquor ban in the state, Congress counters that welfare schemes, independence, employment opportunities, and facilities will create a positive influence on women.
Both parties have indicated they have a lot to announce for women in their manifesto.
Moreover, the efforts of a door-to-door campaign carried out by the election commission to update the voters’ list have helped identify more than 61,683 women who recently got married and were not enrolled as voters.
They were added under the ‘nava vadhu samman samaroh,’ which encouraged young married women to enroll.
Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh has 1.868 million young voters between the ages of 18 and 22.
In an attempt to engage this young electorate, the ruling Congress recently announced an allowance of Rs 2,500 per month for unemployed youths, launched free transport facilities for college students, and facilitated direct interactions between the chief minister and the youth through a series of ‘youth dialogue programs.’
Watch Assembly elections in Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, MP, Rajasthan and Telangana: Watch the complete schedule
It could significantly impact voter turnout and election results, despite opposition parties raising concerns about unfulfilled promises regarding liquor bans in the state, which directly affect the lives of women.
Women are often considered primary victims of crimes committed under the influence of alcohol, which is widespread in Chhattisgarh.
While women in tribal and remote regions may consume liquor as part of their culture, demands to impose a ban on liquor have been high, a promise made by the Congress in its 2018 poll manifesto that remains unfulfilled.
The phenomenon of women voters outnumbering men is not new, especially in tribal districts, where women enthusiastically exercise their right to vote.
Renowned political analyst and former state election commissioner Sushil Trivedi mentioned that the local panchayats, with 50 percent reservation for women, directly influence the trend of higher female voter participation in Chhattisgarh’s political and democratic processes.
Trivedi stated that this has been an ongoing process for years.
According to the state election commission’s records, women voters in Chhattisgarh outnumber male voters standing tall at 1,02,39,410, totaling 20,380,079 voters, with 1,01,20,040 male electors and 790 transgender individuals.
The latest figures after the second summary revision show an increase of 7.19 lakh compared to the first summary revision.
In the 2018 assembly polls, the number of women voters was around 7,646,382, slightly less than the number of male voters at 7,753,337.
However, the overall voter turnout was 76.88%, with male voter turnout at 75.67% and female voter turnout at 78.11%.
Experts believe that Chhattisgarh is a state where women play a dominant role, often being the breadwinners of their families.
Women-oriented schemes, support for self-help groups of women, and free education for girls up to graduation are considered key factors empowering women to actively choose their leaders.
In the 90 assembly constituencies, women voters outnumber men in nearly 58 seats, including tribal and scheduled caste seats. Hence, when women voter turnout is higher than men, it becomes a notable factor influencing election results.
For this, many women-friendly schemes and opportunities launched by the government are believed to be responsible, making women socially, personally, and economically independent.
The higher turnout of women voters is seen as the impact of welfare initiatives like Mukhyamantri Supashan Abhiyan, aiming to create a malnutrition and anemia-free state. Additionally, women empowerment policies have led to lakhs of women becoming financially independent, and budget allocation under the Mahila Kosh project has encouraged them to take loans.
While the BJP believes that the higher number of women voters indicates more dissatisfaction with the Congress for failing to impose a liquor ban in the state, Congress counters that welfare schemes, independence, employment opportunities, and facilities will create a positive influence on women.
Both parties have indicated they have a lot to announce for women in their manifesto.
Moreover, the efforts of a door-to-door campaign carried out by the election commission to update the voters’ list have helped identify more than 61,683 women who recently got married and were not enrolled as voters.
They were added under the ‘nava vadhu samman samaroh,’ which encouraged young married women to enroll.
Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh has 1.868 million young voters between the ages of 18 and 22.
In an attempt to engage this young electorate, the ruling Congress recently announced an allowance of Rs 2,500 per month for unemployed youths, launched free transport facilities for college students, and facilitated direct interactions between the chief minister and the youth through a series of ‘youth dialogue programs.’
Watch Assembly elections in Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, MP, Rajasthan and Telangana: Watch the complete schedule