Goa state assembly elections concluded on February 14. While the voter turnout was recorded at 78.94% is something to talk about, there is another interesting observation that must be discussed. The percentage of women voters in the population was higher than that of the male voters. The fact that women came out to vote in large numbers can be gauged from the fact that the voter turnout was 80.96% for women, while it was 78.19% for men. Moreover, women showed up in more significant numbers in all constituencies except Mapusa, Panaji, St Cruz, Sanquelim, Poriem and Valpoi. All of these constituencies are interestingly in North Goa.
The Numbers
The female voter turnout in North Goa was 81.4% compared to 80.6% male, while in South Goa, it was 80.6% compared to 75.8% male. It must be noted that this is even though the women representation among the candidates in the assembly elections is not that great. Only 26, or 8.6% out of the total 301 candidates given tickets, happen to be female.
With all the talk surrounding women empowerment, especially in the state, the public sentiment signals that there isn’t enough being done to bring parity in the representation of women in politics. The political parties need to get more deserving female candidates up party ranks and ensure representation.
Twenty-five of the forty constituencies didn’t have a single woman candidate running for polls. It is despite women constituting 51.36% of the population instead of 48.64% of men. BJP, which contested all 40 seats, gave tickets to three women in Poriem, Taleigao and Cumbarjua. Congress, which contested 37 seats, fielded two women candidates in Siolim and Valpoi. Only nine of the twelve parties gave tickets to women, while six independent women candidates were contesting from Mapusa, Siolim, Aldona, Mayem, Dabolim, and Sanguem.
The lowest Male turnout was recorded in these constituencies: Velim (65.2%), Benaulim (66.3%), Navelim (68.7%), Vasco (69.9%).
The highest Female turnout was recorded in these constituencies: Bicholim (89.8%), Sanquelim (89.6%), Mandrem (88.8%), Sangue (88.6%) and Priol (88.4%).
Recognition of third gender vote
In a major victory for the individuals identifying as the third gender, 8 out of the 9 people registered under the third gender identity were allowed to vote for the very first time. In an interview with the Times of India, Madhu Gupta, who was able to vote for the first time as a recognised third gender, said, “That is at least a day of celebration for me”. Gupta said that she was elated to cast her vote without being pestered by the police and without having to face prejudice from people. The 25-year-old, who got her third-gender voter ID card, cast her vote not as her male identification but as her true self-identity.
“I’m so proud and pleased to have voted. I pray and hope that each one my family and friends from the transgender neighborhood may get this proper and forged their vote. I’m so pleased that I couldn’t maintain again my tears. After 22 years of residing in Goa, I really feel I’ve been recognised. I’m actually pleased to have voted,” she stated.
