The notion that women are incapable of winning polls as factors of winnability and money are always in play is a lie, according to former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi .
“We have looked at the statistics throughout the 70 years of electoral history, every time the proportion of women winning the elections has been more than the tickets given to them — six per cent tickets, ten per cent victory — which shows their winnability is much higher,” said Quraishi here at a conclave commemorating International Women’s Day, here on Saturday.
He said this lie needs to be exposed and there should be efforts to ensure women's enhanced political participation and representation in Parliament and Assemblies.
Referring to statistics on violence against women, Quraishi said in India, over 28 per cent women in the age group 15-49 years have experienced physical and sexual violence. “The disturbing thing is that 65 per cent of Indian men believe women should tolerate violence, which is not acceptable,” said Quraishi.