For first time, women voters exceed men in Karnataka

Bengaluru: For the first time, Karnataka is expected to have more women general voters than men as per the integrated draft electoral rolls published on Tuesday by the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

According to the draft rolls of the 221 Legislative Assembly Constituencies (LAC), women form the biggest chunk of voters at 2.72 crore, followed by men at 2.71 crore. There are 5,022 transgender electors. 

The draft does not include Channapatna, Shiggaon and Sandur, where bypolls are due on November 13. Thus, the ongoing summary revision of electoral rolls was suspended in the three constituencies as per the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) directions.

However, even including the respective figures in those three constituencies as per the existing rolls, there were 36,462 more women voters than men.

Till now, the greater number of women electors had been confined to some specified districts, specifically in the coastal region.

These figures could potentially have huge electoral significance as they might alter the political calculations of different parties, forcing them to restrategise their approach.

“It doesn’t directly change the electoral dynamics but gender factor comes into electoral consideration. Even in the previous elections, there were many constituencies where women voters outnumbered their male counterparts. The pattern of greater women’s participation has always been seen,” said political analyst Sandeep Shastri.

Shastri felt the pattern reflected the greater migration of men voters outside the state for jobs. 

Final electoral rolls

The electors can submit their claims and objections till November 28, 2024, while the final electoral rolls will be published on January 6, 2025.

Total number of electors - 54396974          

Number of men -27179483          

Number of women - 27212469        

Number of transgender - 5022        

Young voters (18-19 years) - 1514584        

85+ voters - 540114        

Largest constituency - Bengaluru South (764895)        

Smallest constituency - Sringeri (168653)