New Delhi, 16th April 2024:  The Quantum Hub, a New Delhi-based public policy research and consulting firm, today released the second part of a 4-part series of factsheets on ‘Women in #Elections2024’ to showcase the number of women candidates and their presence in the upcoming General Elections of 2024. 

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, around 9% (726) of all candidates were women. Despite their support for a 33% representation of women in the Lok Sabha, political parties have not put forward more women candidates. While the representation of women candidates in the LS elections has historically risen, it has never crossed 1000 candidates in any LS election.

The factsheet also revealed: 

• Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra have the highest number of women candidates in a single LS Constituency.

• Out of 237 women candidates, 92 belong to unrecognised parties, followed by 87 independents. National Parties have fielded 46 women candidates, while state parties have fielded only 12 women candidates in the first two phases.

• The Karur constituency in Tamil Nadu has the highest number of women candidates, 1 representing a national party and 6 independents. 

Elections to a total of 190 constituencies from 23 states and UTs will be held on April 19 (phase 1) and 26 2024 (phase 2). The data for this factsheet relates to these constituencies. 

Sharing her views on the subject, Aparajita Bharti, Founding Partner at TQH consulting says “The low number of women candidates in this election too points to the need for quick implementation of one-third reservation of constituencies for women. Without such affirmative action, it seems impossible to increase women’s representation at all levels of legislatures. The nature of competitive politics favours men organically as they are able to spend more time away from their families, have more control over assets and have higher agency in making career decisions. Women need a leg up to be able to catch up with men in political representation.”

In this series, TQH aims to unveil 4 different parts observing women electors in the 2024 elections. Part three will focus on "Women in Manifestos," covering key promises for women by different parties qualitatively. Lastly, part four will examine voter turnout among women and any other significant trends observed during polling.