Jammu, Sep 21: In the first phase of voting in the latest democratic exercise, women voters have outpaced men in several constituencies across the Chenab Valley, showcasing remarkable political engagement.
On Friday, the Election Commission released the final figures from the first phase of voting, which took place in 24 constituencies across seven districts. The overall voter turnout was 61.38%, with a notable 14 seats registering participation rates between 60% and 80%.
As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the women voters dominated in six of these constituencies, especially where female candidates were running.
Inderwal witnessed the highest voter turnout, with 81.47% of men and an impressive 82.90% of women casting their ballots. Across key seats like Doda and Kishtwar, women not only participated in large numbers but surpassed male voters in turnout.
Doda, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his first election rally, saw 75.82% of women voters compared to 69.34% of men. In neighboring Doda West, 78.24% of women cast their vote, while male turnout stood at 73.91%. Similarly, in Kishtwar, where Shagun Parihar of the BJP has been positioned as a symbol of resistance against terrorism, women cast 79.93% of votes, compared to 76.62% of men.
Even in traditionally male-dominated seats like Bhaderwah and Pader Nagseni, women continued to lead. In Pader Nagseni, where a female candidate was on the ballot, the turnout reached 80.67%, with women comprising 80.57% and men 80.77% of voters.
In terms of third-gender voters, the Election Commission reported full participation in four constituencies: Dooru, Doda, Ramban, and Kokernag. However, none were registered in several constituencies, including Anantnag and Kulgam.
A research scholar from Kashmir University, Shafaat Yousuf told KNO that like other states of India the position of women in the state of Jammu and kashmir remained subordinate all over the state earlier . Moreover the problems of women have been further enhanced due to age old political trauma in the state. “However from the early decades of the 20th century, women in the state of J & K became conscious about their subjugation due to emergence of political consciousness, expansion of modern education, spread of cultural awareness and deterioration of economic conditions.
Women participated in socio -political movements in the 1930’s and the subsequent years there has been a rising pattern of women leadership in the state politics of Jammu and Kashmir.
Many of the women also fought against Pakistani invaders in 1947.Present time belong to women and the political landscape of the erstwhile state cannot afford to ignore them,” he said.
