In light of the role played by the female electorate in elections in the recent past, perhaps with a higher level of assertiveness compared to other social formations, this journey would deserve a close look. Opinions are divided on whether women will react primarily within the gendered concerns or pursue other identities while casting their ballots. India’s other halfThe universal adult franchise conceived by the founding fathers of India’s Constitution was comprehensively gender-equal, compared to the limited franchise given to women under the Government of India Act, 1935. Right from the first electoral roll, women were to register by their own name than in relation to any male member of the family. However, patriarchal biases, seasonal migration, change of address following marriage, language and literacy barriers, and social mores restricting their access to public spaces created obstructions for women’s participation, thus resulting in a lag of about 17% with male voters by 1962. It took 70 years and 17 general elections, for women to actually go past men with a more than 67% turnout in the 2019 general election, beating their own record of 65.5% in 2014.ECI steps inOver a decade back, as the Election Commission took up a deliberate and comprehensive programme for enhanced and inclusive participation, under its much-acclaimed voter education programme, SVEEP, the first attention went to women, whose share in demography did not reflect in registration and voting.In recent years, one has seen separate queues, special toilet and waiting facilities, even creche, female volunteers, gender sensitisation of poll officials and more women officiating at polling stations, to facilitate female voters. Pink polling stations, an innovation of booths fully managed by women, have enhanced confidence of female voters. Outreach campaigns with women icons and women centric messages have helped. Periodic deliveries of peaceful and well-organised polls, combined with a reasonable check on money, muscle, drugs and liquor, have incentivised women. Percolation of electoral information and motivational campaigns witnessed some dramatic results in national and state elections, followed up more remarkably in urban and rural local bodies. A pink dawn not yetIrrespective of a few clear strides, India still ranks low in terms of representation of women in legislature despite having had women as its President, Prime Minister and as chief ministers. The rather modest increase of women elected to Lok Sabha from 24 in the first general election to only 78 in 2019 qualifies the status of women’s access to power in the country. The polity is still hesitatingly chasing the ultimate 33% reservation for women in Parliament. Political parties have not demonstrated the same competitive zeal in picking up female candidates as they have done in their promises of cash and goodies for them.Electoral senseWomen constituency is being pursued as they are no more a dormant but a visibly active segment of the voting population. Surveys have suggested that a significant majority of women would like to vote for a woman rather than a man. The higher representation of women in Panchayat bodies has led to greater focus on issues of health, sanitation, childcare and local amenities. In the just-concluded farmers’ agitation, women were seen occupying the front benches. Leaderships in states like Odisha, Bihar and West Bengal have been able to connect with women through sensitive programming as in Tamil Nadu for a long while. Facilitating a higher role for women has indeed been a sound political investment while also addressing issues of equality, equity and justice. Realisation of this has propelled parties like the BJD and the TMC to allocate a larger number of seats to women. They reaped dividends too.An overdue pink rise augurs well for the Indian society even when it happens for electoral compulsions.The writer is former director general, Election Commission of India
Source: Economic Times
