Higher voter turnout in the first phase of Assembly election is good news for the State but it's even better news for the advocates of women empowerment as the women’s turnout suggests that the fairer sex is getting more involved in the democratic process which incidentally is the route to ensure their empowerment.
Post poll statistics indicates increase in the turnout of women voters in eight of 10 constituencies for which the final figures have been compiled by the Election Commission whereas the figures for three constituencies are still awaited.As many as 13 constituencies went to poll in the first phase of election which registered an impressive turnout of 61.92 per cent.
Bhawanathpur which sat on the top of the overall turnout also topped in terms of female voter participation (72.03 per cent) compared to male voter turnout (64.73 per cent) followed by Garhwa (71.10 per cent), Panki (68.75 per cent), Hussinabad (66.15 per cent), Daltonganj (65.84 per cent), Bishrampur (65.22 per cent), Chattarpur (62.55 per cent) and Chatra (53.81 per cent). The exception to the trend was visible in Gumla where male turnout (61.95 per cent) was more than female (59.62 per cent) and Bishunpur where 67.22 per cent male exercised their franchise compared to 66.86 per cent female voters.
Interestingly, increase in female turnout is becoming a trend as it has been more than male turnout even during lok Sabha elections conducted in April-May, 2014.As many as six constituencies-Chatra, Bishrampur, Chattarpur, Hussianabad, Garhwa and Bhawanthpur-had registered more female participation signaling the catching trend among women voters. Significantly, participation jumped northwards in Panki and Daltonganj compared to the voting in lS elections in these constituencies.
Notably, overall female voter turnout improved since lS elections thus giving impetus to the demand of greater role of women in politics where reservation to them have been kept on back burner from a very long time.