Assam Assembly Elections: Women Represent Nearly Half of Voters but Only 8.17% of Candidates

Original: Assam polls: Women constitute 49.98% of electoral roll, but only 8.17% of total candidates

The Economic Times•Apr 7, 20265 min

In a Nutshell

In the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, women make up 49.98% of the electoral roll but only 8.17% of candidates, with just 59 out of 722 candidates being women. Despite their significant presence as voters, political parties have failed to ensure adequate representation, prompting calls for action from activists.

Key Points

01Women constitute 49.98% of the electoral roll in Assam but only 8.17% of candidates.
02The number of women candidates has decreased from 74 in the 2021 elections to 59 in 2024.
03The opposition Congress has the highest number of women candidates at 14, while the ruling BJP has 7.
04Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised a 33% reservation for women in future elections.
05Activists are calling for increased support and capacity building for women in politics.

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Full Summary

In the Assam Assembly elections scheduled for April 9, women represent 49.98% of the electoral roll but only 8.17% of the candidates, with just 59 out of 722 candidates being women. This marks a decline from 74 women candidates in the 2021 elections. Women outnumber men in electoral rolls in 16 out of 35 districts, yet political parties have not adequately reflected this demographic in their candidate lists. The opposition Congress leads with 14 women candidates, while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted the need for increased women's representation and promised a 33% reservation for women in future elections. Activists criticize political parties for token representation and urge for better support and capacity building for women in politics. The BJP claims to have implemented various welfare schemes for women, while the Congress accuses them of creating a vote bank through conditional benefits. The elections will take place on April 9, with results announced on May 4.

Key Figures

49.98%

Percentage of women in the electoral roll

8.17%

Percentage of women among candidates

59

Total number of women candidates

14

Number of women candidates from Congress

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Why It Matters

The low representation of women candidates may hinder the interests of female voters and limit their influence in governance and policy-making.

Who is affected

Women voters and potential women candidates in Assam.

What to know

Political parties should increase the number of women candidates and ensure support for women's participation in politics.

FAQ

Despite women making up nearly half of the electoral roll, political parties often provide only token representation, resulting in a low number of women candidates.

Activists are advocating for increased support and capacity building for women to encourage their participation in electoral processes.

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