Women in Odisha have cast their votes proportionately higher than men in the recently held Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.
In fact, women’s participation in the elections exceeded the State’s voter turnout percentage. Of the 1,39,87,183 registered female voters, 1,04,37,534 had come out to exercise their franchise in two-phase elections held on April 10 and 17 last. Percentage of female voted in the elections is estimated at 74.62 per cent.
Similarly, 1,09,98,963 out of 1,51,64,146 registered male voters cast their votes in the election that took the voters percentage to 72.53 per cent. Total voter turnout in the State had touched 73.78 per cent in the twin polls.
Interestingly, women have outnumbered men in casting votes in 36 out of 147 assembly segments in the State. Some of the tribal-dominated districts are ahead as far as female voters outnumbering their male counterpart.
Southern districts like Koraput, Rayagada and Gajapat, with majority tribal population, women outnumbered men in casting votes. Similarly, in five out of nine assembly segments in tribal dominated Mayurbhanj district, women were ahead of men.
In Nabarangpur, male and female voters shared the success with women outnumbering men in two out four assembly seats. Compared to southern districts, male voters had better outing in coastal Odisha in the second phase polling.
In left wing extremist hit Chitrokonda Assembly seat in Malkanagiri district, women electors outnumbered male voters.
Office of Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha on Friday published the Assembly constituency wise voter turnout statistics.
This election, voter turnout in Odisha has gone up by a good margin. Last election (2009), elector turnout was 65.3 per cent compared to this year’s 73.78 per cent. Then percentage of male those cast votes was 65.67 per cent whereas female voting percentage was 64.9 per cent. The 2014 election saw the change in the scenario.
Dabugaon in Nabrangpur district was at the top of the list as it polled 84.77 per cent of votes. In 25 assembly seats, poll percentage went beyond 80 per cent.
Bhubaneswar, where three Assembly constituencies lie, presents a disappointing picture in the twin election. Three Assembly seats, Bhubaneswar (central), Bhubaneswar (north) and Ekamra-Bhubaneswar polled 41.32 per cent, 41.36 per cent and 45.95 respectively.
