Political observers say this is likely driven by the growing women-centric welfare measures and promises across States that create a direct state-citizen link with the demographic

As Assam, Puducherry and Keralam displayed high voter enthusiasm and record-high turnout last week, data show that women voters were key drivers of this. The women voter turnout from the 2021 to 2026 polls jumped up at rates higher than the overall turnout increase across all three states.

A huge 91.3 per cent of the female electorate in Puducherry, 86 per cent in Assam, and 80.9 per cent in Keralam voted in the Assembly polls on Thursday. In comparison, the male voter turnout was 88.1 per cent in Puducherry, 84.8 per cent in Assam, and 75 per cent in Keralam.

From 2021 to the 2026 polls, the highest jump in the women turnout was seen at Puducherry — a 9 percentage point jump compared to an 8.1 percentage point spike in total turnout. This increase was 6.9 per cent points in Keralam (total 4.13), and 3.95 per cent points (total 3.58) in Assam. 

Political observers say this is likely driven by the growing women-centric welfare measures and promises across states that create a direct state-citizen link with the demographic. This influences women’s autonomy as voters, instead of voting how the male members of the family do.

Additionally, Puducherry also has the Vijay factor, they add, with his rallies seeing strong women presence.

Afroz Alam, head of the Department of Political Science at the Maulana Azad National Urdu University, said high voter turnout in general could be either a popular mandate for the incumbent or a wave of anti-incumbency.

This year, the SIR drive has also helped reach out and create a charged atmosphere among voters to come exercise their rights, he added. As for women turnout, he believes that political parties have “appealed to the political consciousness of women” and “sharpened their political agency” with welfare measures specifically directed at them. 

Welfare schemes

In Puducherry, key promises of BJP include the provision of two free LPG cylinders per year to all ration card holders and a “Pink Autos Initiative” with subsidies and free driving training, along with the ‘Anbu Thangai Thittam’ to provide e-scooters to meritorious Class 12 girl students. The All India NR Congress, which is a part of National Democratic Alliance, has announced free travel for women on government buses and proposed increasing maternity leave for women employees from six months to nine months, among others. 

In Assam, the ruling BJP already has operational schemes like Orunodoi 3.0, Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMUA), and Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina, which grant women with a slew of sops and the party has pledged to increase the financial assistance under these in this year’s polls. 

Parties in Keralam too have made a slew of women-focused promises in their manifestos. The Congress-led UDF manifesto mentions free bus travel for women on all Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses, a hike in the welfare pension, and monthly assistance of ₹1,000 for college-going girl students, among others. The BJP’s promises include a Bhakshya Arogya Suraksha card for women with a monthly recharge of ₹2,500 for medicines and groceries. 

The Vijay effect in Puducherry

Before the 2026 polls, Puducherry saw a 15.6 percentage points jump up in women turnout in the 2006 state elections, which saw the UT enter into a coalition mode with the Congress-led Democratic Progressive Alliance winning 20 out of the 30 Assembly seats. Political analysts view the 2006 Puducherry polls as a classic case of pro-incumbency and highly personality driven one with the “Rangasamy factor” dominating.

This time, it could be another personality-driven increase, they claim, noting that Vijay’s rallies drew in huge interest from both men and women in the UT, besides political parties vying to put out welfare measures directed at women as part of their manifestos.

Does the Puducherry tunrout indicate things to come in Tamil Nadu? Psephologist and Political Strategist JVC Sreeram says that besides women turnout, the turnout of the youth voters will make things more clearer.

Published on April 12, 2026