Women's representation at mere 8% in first two phases

In the initial two phases of the Lok Sabha elections, women represented a mere eight per cent of the total 2,823 candidates, a figure that political activists argue is indicative of a broader issue of gender bias, rendering discussions on women's empowerment somewhat superficial.

The first phase, which took place on April 19, saw 135 women among 1,625 candidates, while the second phase on April 26 had 100 women out of 1,198 candidates. Tamil Nadu led the first phase with 76 women candidates, constituting eight per cent of the state's total candidates. In the second phase, Kerala had the highest number of women candidates at 24.

Analysing party-wise data, the Congress fielded 44 women and the BJP 69 across both phases.

This disparity has drawn criticism from political analysts and activists who question the delay in implementing the Women Reservation Act as a means to proactively increase women's participation.