Tribal women voters in Bastar region are said to be more powerful than their male counterparts, as far as election of candidates, as the number of female electorate there is far more than the number of men. Ten out of the total 12 assembly constituencies of Bastar region, women are seen more interested and active in polling than male voters. So, it is an established truth that if any candidate wanted to increase his political stature, he should have to impress and attract women electorate.
Though tribal women in Bastar area work hard more than their male counterparts even for maintaining their family, but they had been neglected since long. They can easily be seen collecting forest produces and firewood in thick forests. Concerned about their families, they even involved in illegal sale of homemade liquor. Even women working in the naxalite organisations that claim fighting for equal rights between the rich and the poor and male and female are harassed and neglected.
Woman voters in Bastar have brought leaders like Ganga Potai, Phulo Netam and lata Usendi to the fore in a powerful manner. They have become alert about their responsibilities and rights and would not hesitate to express their pleasure and annoyance in the political areas also.
A recent example is that when the Congress did not give ticket to Meena Ravatiya from Bijapur Assembly constituency, she, demonstrating her strong will power, resigned from the Congress and filed nomination as an independent candidate.
According to sources, in Jagadalpur Assembly constituency, there are 88,617 women and 86,324 male voters, whereas, in Bastar there are 68,475 female and 67,579 male voters, in Chitrakot 78,289 female and 72,651 male voters, in Narayanpur (Bastar) 26,845 female and 26,938 male voters, Keshkal 85,381 female and 84,401 male voters, Kondagaon 74,279 female and 73,354 male voters, Narayanpur (Konta) 15,189 female and 14,822 male voters, Narayanpur 38,358 female and 36,515 male voters, Antagarh 71,361 female and 75,156 male voters, in Bhanpratappur 90,189 female and 87,562 male voters, in Kanker 81,127 women and 78,505 male voters, in Dantewada 88,727 women and 83,478 men voters, Bijapur 78982 female voters and 75,529 male voters and in Konta constituency 82,651 women and 75,975 male voters.
Narayanpur Assembly constituency is spread in the boundaries of three districts namely Narayanpur, Kondagaon and Bastar. The figures show that the role of women electorates is significant in making candidates victorious.