Karnataka polls: Survey shows women consult men before voting

A survey conducted in Karnataka shows that women should consult male members or elders before voting.

The findings were part of a survey, Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) baseline survey, 2023, commissioned by the state's chief electoral office (CEO). "Across divisions, over a quarter of the population (26.2%) 'agrees', and 7.3% of them 'strongly agree', with this statement. This reiterates the belief that women are considered secondary citizens," said the survey. The 2018 edition of the survey had also echoed the same views.

The Bengaluru division had the highest percentage (29.2) of respondents who had agreed with the view that women should consult with the men or elders before voting. The number was second highest in Belgavi (26.5), followed by Kalaburgi (23.6) and Mysuru (23.1).

The response only serves as a sample, as only 4,452 households and 45 focus groups across the four divisions were surveyed.

The final electoral roll that was published on January 13 2023 shows that the women voters had outnumbered the men in nearly 15 electoral divisions out of the 33. The electoral rolls says that out of the 5.25 crore voters, 2.60 crore are women.

The women voters as per the rolls is higher than the men in 17 divisions, which include Udupi, Uttar Karnataka, Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, Belgavi, Vijaypura, Bagalkote, Kalaburgi and Udupi.

All political parties are wooing the women voters as the numbers look impressive. If one may recall that before the polling process was set into motion many politicians had offered cookers and dinner sets in a bid to woo the women voters. The Congress on the other hand has announced an allowance of Rs 2,000 per month to every woman who heads a family. The BJP to counter the Congress put up front page advertisements announcing a Grihini Shakthi scheme through which financial assistance will be provided to housewives from the low-income families which have been affected by COVID-19, floods and other calamities.