Context: The Election Commission’s data on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections reveals significant trends in voter turnout, particularly a growing gender gap favoring female voters in certain states.
Relevance: GS 2 (Governance),GS 1 (Migration)
Female Turnout Surpasses Male Turnout:
- The gender gap in turnout has widened in favor of women from 0.16 points in 2019 to 0.23 points in 2024.
- In 15 out of 28 major states and UTs, female turnout was higher than male turnout.
State-wise Gender Patterns:
- Higher Female Turnout: Notable in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, and West Bengal.
- Bihar stands out with the most significant gender gap despite low overall turnout.
- Higher Male Turnout: Observed in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, and states like Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka.
Electorate Composition and Turnout Ratios:
- States like Bihar had a higher female voter turnout in absolute numbers despite having more registered male electors.
- In Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh, both the electorate and turnout favored women.
- Conversely, states like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh saw more men registered and turning out to vote.
Impact of Migration:
- Male-dominated migration from states like Bihar and Jharkhand could explain the higher female turnout.
- Many male workers were unable to return to their home states to vote due to migration for work.
- Migration patterns from Bihar dominate the list of sources and destinations for migrant workers in 2023, with many traveling to non-neighboring states.
Political and Structural Factors:
- Political engagement and mobilization efforts targeting women may contribute to higher female turnout.
- Structural factors like male out-migration significantly influence turnout dynamics in states like Bihar and Jharkhand.
Implications for Policy and Research:
- Understanding these trends requires further analysis of migration data and its effect on voter turnout.
- Strategies to enhance voter participation among migrants and address gender-based turnout gaps may be essential for future elections.
