Phase 1: Women electors outnumber male counterparts in 16 constituencies
The Statesman | 21 April 2026
Ahead of the first phase of elections scheduled on 23 April, the data released by the Election Commission of India shows that there are at least 16 constituencies of the 152 constituencies in the first phase of election where women electors outnumber their male counterparts.
These constituencies are spread across districts including Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Murshidabad.
According to the constituency-wise elector data of the Election Commission of India there is a total electorate of 3,60,77,171 voters, comprising 1,84,99,496 male voters, 1,75,77,210 female voters, and 465 third gender voters.
However, the sharpest gender skew in favour of women voters in Phase I is seen in Samserganj in Murshidabad district where there are 83,430 females compared to 78,004 male voters, creating a substantial gap of 5,426 more women than men.
At the other end of the spectrum, the narrowest margin where women voters exceed men is observed in Siliguri in Darjeeling district where there are 1,00,844 female voters against 99,920 male voters, a slim difference of just 924 voters.
Among the constituencies where female voters are higher than male voters are several from North Bengal and adjoining regions including Kalchini (ST), where female voters (1,11,742) outnumber male voters (1,09,713), and Madarihat (ST), which has 97,695 female voters compared to 96,262 male voters.
Similarly, Nagrakata (ST) shows a clear edge for women with 1,12,292 female voters against 1,07,824 male voters.
In the Darjeeling district’s Assembly constituencies like Darjeeling, Kurseong, Matigara-Naxalbari (SC), and Siliguri show higher female electorates.
The Commission data shows that Darjeeling has 1,04,681 female voters compared to 1,03,033 male voters, while Kurseong shows a wider gap with 1,10,135 female voters against 1,06,014 male voters.
In Matigara-Naxalbari, the difference is narrower but still significant, with 1,34,906 female voters exceeding 1,33,571 male voters.
The data also highlights that while the number of such constituencies is limited compared to the total 152 going to polls, their political importance cannot be overlooked.
According to political observers, these constituencies are likely to play a decisive role, particularly as political parties increasingly tailor their campaigns to appeal to women voters through targeted welfare schemes and messaging.
Though there has been significant deletions during Special Intensive Revision (SIR) but trend suggests that male deletions have been marginally higher than female deletions.
“Naturally there are some constituencies where female voters have come up as decisive factor in the forthcoming election,” a political observer said.
“Though the exact figures of deletions vary across districts, but the broader pattern points towards a gradual balancing of the gender ratio in electoral rolls,” the observer said.
As campaigning intensifies ahead of polling day, political observers note that constituencies with a higher number of women voters may witness focused outreach on issues such as social welfare, safety, healthcare, and financial assistance schemes.
With Phase I setting the tone for the rest of the election, the evolving voter demographics underline the growing significance of women in shaping the political landscape of the state.