- The recently concluded state assembly polls in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh have thrown up few surprises vis-à-vis results. That the Bharatiya Janata Party romped home in a spectacular fashion for the record seventh successive time is a huge achievement in itself. Also, Himachal stuck to its norm of changing the incumbent government every five years continues as well. Congress storming to power is a consolation for the beleaguered Grand Old Party grappling to stay relevant in the present times. The other contender making the loudest of voices by promising freebies, the Aam Aadmi Party, has failed miserably to leave behind a footprint.
PC: THE QUINT
- However, its vote share in the Gujarat elections makes it a national party from now on. What are the takeaways from these elections for the comprehending lot invested in the political churning around the country? That the caste equations will continue to rule the roost as regards social engineering aspects are concerned is unquestionable. The communal tonality also will essay a significant roleplay is also obvious. Freebies, assurances, promises, and inducements too will be an integral part is also further ascertained. However, developmental prospects also received a thumbs-up from the electorate, especially in Gujarat despite the Morbi bridge incident.
- Nonetheless, there is one aspect that should cause some concerns as the poor urban voter turnout suggests. Did someone mention gender participation? Let’s delve into it. As reported, voter turnout in this Gujarat election was 61.8% for women, and 66.7% for men. Women’s participation has dipped by more than four percentage points from 66.1% in the 2017 election. In 2012, their turnout was 69.5%. In 2019 Maharashtra also recorded a similar skew, with women’s turnout at 59.3% and men’ at 62.8%. In 2015, women’s turnout was better than men’s.
PC: Richa Taneja
- Hopefully, these are exceptions to the rule as female turnout has trended upward in general for some years now. In HP this time, the percentage of female voters was at an all-time high of 76.8%, compared to a male electorate of 72.45%. Even in the five assembly elections earlier this year the voter gender gap ratio has improved as compared to early times. UP registered the clearest gains: from 839 women for every 1000 men in 2017 to 868 in 2022. Women’s voter turnout in UP was also 62.2%, greater than 59.3% for men, a trend that held from 2017. In Bihar and west Bengal too, women’s voter participation has left the men behind.
- And in the 2019 LS polls, women’s turnout at 67.18% beat men’s at 67.01%. Do women get at par representation and authority? Not at all. The women’s reservation bill has lapsed despite having been passed by the Rajya Sabha in 2010. While a third of local body seats are reserved for women, roughly 1.4 million female panchayat leaders have no ladders to enter legislative assemblies and Parliament. Women get fewer tickets and often from tougher seats, even though they are no less winnable than men. Long way to go before parity kicks in. Political parties should walk the talk rather than indulge in bombastic claims.
