The most recent statistics show that it are the males who vote for in Nagpur district's considerably higher number than their female counterparts. To make a special note, registered female voters increased noticeably by 14.17% from 2014 to 2019 but the number of female voters who voted cast their ballots reduced by 1.05% compared to the previous general elections, which is less than a total of 38,990 female voters.
For 2014 and 2019 general elections, a little difference was noticeable before and after the elections. The participation rate was 57.19% and 56.14% correspondingly which was achieved by the women voters. We have witnessed a 5.77% increment in female voters on the roll and the upcoming 2024 elections are an evident factor. Although the number of individuals who are committed to campaigns has increased, it is still unclear whether this rise will impact the turnout, and we shall know about this in the upcoming elections.
Anjalii Gaithane, a political analyst who is also the Head of Department at Hislop College, Hislop College, provided with The Times of India (TOI) in-depth on the phenomenon of the unenthusiastic women voters. Gaidhane eloquently spoke about the lack of such women-centric subsidy plans provided by political parties as a possible explanation. She opined about the other opposition parties from other states where they aimed to court female candidates and increase their participation through welfare schemes that emanated higher turnout.
Although the data has shown that the female voter turnout has averaged at 52.08% in the 2019 elections and varied from 46.89% to 61.21% in the 2014 elections, there has been a consistent dip in the female voter turnout in Nagpur South assembly which has been 53.26% in 20 Women's voting strength in Hinga assembly was significantly higher than the national average and this was proved by the highest rate of female voter turnout in the Lok Sabha elections. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Ramtek assembly recorded a 63.36%, whereas in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Umred assembly recorded a 64.6%. In Nagpur, Eastward assembly constituency accounts for the highest voting numbers among female electorate: during 2014 and 2019, the percentages were 56.68% and 55.16% respectively.
Gaidhane highlighted the importance of women having equal power rights in leading and decision-making for the sake of a sound and growing democracy. Moreover, the survey showed that women made up a larger proportion of voters in the rural areas compared to the urban ones.
Saumya Sharma who is the CEO of a local government body and the Nodal Officer of the Model Code of Conduct highlighted various initiatives including the women's day celebrations and awareness sessions to encourage increased female voter turnout.
Sharma further added that about 1,70,000 anganwadi and ASHA workers pledged to join in the voting process without failing. The act is aimed at increasing citizens' input in the elections and heightening participation in the democratic process.
