Bihar Election: Women Voters Outnumber Men, Yet Assembly Representation Remains Low
In the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, women voters outnumber men, with approximately 3.5 crore women among the total 7.43 crore voters in the state. Despite this significant presence, women’s representation in the Assembly has remained disproportionately low over the years.
Voter Turnout Trends
Over the past three elections, women’s voter turnout has consistently exceeded that of men. In 2020, 59.69% of women voters cast their vote, compared to 54.45% of men. The gap was even wider in 2015, with 60.48% of women voting against 53.32% of men . This trend underscores the growing political engagement of women in Bihar.
Political Representation
Despite their active participation in the electoral process, women’s representation in the Bihar Assembly has been limited. In the 2020 elections, only 26 of the 370 women candidates secured a seat. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) fielded 13 women candidates each from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), while the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress fielded 16 and 7 women candidates, respectively Patna Press. However, this number has not significantly increased in the 2025 elections.
Current Election Scenario
For the 2025 Assembly elections, the NDA has fielded 34 women candidates, while the Mahagathbandhan has given tickets to 30 women Patna Press . Despite these numbers, women still constitute a small percentage of the total candidates, reflecting the ongoing challenges in achieving gender parity in political representation.
Challenges to Women’s Political Empowerment
Experts attribute the low representation of women in the Assembly to several factors, including political parties’ reluctance to field women candidates. Dr. Nirmala Kumari, Head of the Department of Political Science at Magadh University, notes that parties often prefer fielding turncoats and outsiders over dedicated women leaders, despite their active involvement in grassroots politics Outlook India.
Women’s Role in Electoral Outcomes
The significant number of women voters has made them a crucial factor in determining electoral outcomes. In the 2020 elections, women outvoted men in 167 of the 243 constituencies, with the NDA winning 90 of those seats mint. This trend highlights the potential influence of women voters in shaping the state’s political landscape.
Government Initiatives for Women
In response to the growing political engagement of women, the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government has implemented several women-centric schemes. These include 50% reservation in panchayats, free bicycles for schoolgirls, and financial aid to women entrepreneurs. Additionally, the government has announced a 35% horizontal reservation for women in all government jobs, aiming to empower women economically and socially Reddit. Also Read: Bihar elections: More women turn out to vote, but fewer make it to Assembly
Conclusion
While women in Bihar have demonstrated increased political engagement through higher voter turnout, their representation in the Assembly remains limited. The upcoming elections will be a critical test of political parties’ commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment. Achieving true political representation for women requires not only active participation but also meaningful inclusion in decision-making processes.
