Since the passage of the women’s reservation Bill in 2023, Assembly polls have been held in 20 States and UTs and only 10.2% women were fielded by political parties according to Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

Key highlights of report

• Low representation: Women candidates made up no more than 14% across the States and U.T.s in 20 state and UT elections after passing of bill in 2023.

• This shows lack of intent as Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (106th Constitutional Amendment Act), 2023, which seeks to reserve 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and the Delhi Assembly.

• 2024 Lok Sabha polls: 152 of 543 constituencies (28%) had no women candidates at all and just 74 women MPs (14%) were elected.

• Only 9% of MLAs nationwide are women. 

• Notable exceptions: Naam Tamilar Katchi fielded 50% women candidates in both the Puducherry and Tamil Nadu and CPI(ML)(L) fielded 56% women candidates in the West Bengal Assembly election.

Challenges Associated with Women Representation:

• Financial Constraints: In the 2024 General Election, female candidates with assets under INR 10 million had a win rate of only 1.49%.
• Patriarchal and Structural Barriers: male-dominated party structures, lack of inner-party democracy, and societal norms that prioritize caregiving duties over leadership.
• Other: Tokenism / Proxy Representation, Biased Ticket Distribution, Safety Concerns such as cyberbullying, political intimidation, and gender-based violence during elections.