The real factor in the 13th National Parliament election is the country's millions of women voters. The entire voting equation can change with the final decision of these women voters. As a result, who will form the next government depends on these women voters.
Although the presence of women in the candidate list this time is disappointing, the importance of women as voters is greater than in any previous national election. And to gain the trust of this huge vote bank, political parties have already entered the field. Various promises are being made for women. Again, the opponents are also trying to capture the field by capitalizing on the misogynistic comments of some political party officials.
According to the final voter list published by the Bangladesh Election Commission, out of 127.695,183 voters, 64.814,907 are male voters. On the other hand, the number of female voters is 62.879,042. Female voters are about 50 percent (49.26 percent) of the total voters. That is, the number of female voters is close to male voters.
In the meantime, BNP is promising to attract women voters by providing family cards to 50 lakh families and providing loans to women entrepreneurs on easy terms, as well as providing employment by setting up specialized training centers in every district. Jamaat-e-Islami's 1.5 lakh female workers across the country are also going door-to-door in cities and villages to seek votes from women voters. NCP is also promising to build a digital and modern Bangladesh for educated and new generation of women voters.
Amidst the election frenzy, a post made by Jamaat-e-Islami's Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on his social media handle X about working women has sparked a storm of criticism across the country. Jamaat has claimed that the Ameer's account was hacked and the post was made. But several political parties, including BNP, are criticizing the party, including the Ameer, on this issue. Experts also believe that it may have a negative impact on working women voters, especially just before the elections. Women are eager to bring the government to power through the vote revolution, which will ensure women's safety, prevent violence, ensure their rights, and create employment opportunities, including the development of women.
Nasrin Akhter, a housewife from Pallabi in Mirpur-16 constituency, said, "I expect the new government to provide better access to water, electricity, and gas services as citizens. Many make various promises, including giving priority to women, before forming the government, but they do not fulfill them after coming to power. No government properly values women. I expect that whichever party comes to power, women will realize their rights."
Jannati Begum (26) of Rasulpur Char, a remote village in Gaibandha, said, "We will go to vote like before. During the election, leaders from the city come and promise to do many things for the people of Char, but after coming to power, they do not come to see us anymore."
Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder told Bangladesh Pratidin, “Political parties are trying their best to get women's votes because women voters are important in elections. In some cases, they are also trying to influence women voters by spreading propaganda. Although the number of women voters is about two million less than that of men, the number of women in the population is more. Therefore, the party for which women vote will win, because women are a large part of the country's population, although political parties have not kept their promise to nominate women candidates.”
Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, said, "Despite the fact that half of the country's population is women, we are concerned about the inconsistency in the nomination of candidates in the 13th parliamentary elections. This is tantamount to keeping a large part of the national wealth away from mainstream policymaking. Women should not be seen by political parties as just a stepping stone to power. They should be recognized as 'partners'. Democracy does not mean just voting at the ballot box; Democracy is only successful when fair participation, governance and governance for all, including women, is ensured. Amidst this election frenzy, we are observing a kind of systematic hatred and patriarchal pride towards women in public and online. This is a political strategy to curtail women's democratic rights. My expectation from the elected officials is to go beyond the flashy language of slogans and manifestos and ensure a safe and dignified environment for women. We want a state system where the voice of every woman is reflected with importance at every level of policymaking.”
Human rights activist advocate Elina Khan said, “Women voters are always a big factor in the elections. Some women vote with understanding, some without understanding. And the number of those who do not understand is high. Many times, a candidate who is not supposed to win the election is also elected with women's votes. But the question remains as to how beneficial the candidate for the country who is elected is to the parliament. Women are never valued. Even after the number of voters is equal to men, the problems of women are not paid attention to. Women's safety, livelihood, and dignity are not ensured. Women often choose candidates based on the words of acquaintances and relatives.”
Samantha Sharmin, senior joint convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), said, “Women voters will definitely play an important role in determining the election results, both in terms of numbers and quality. I would like all women to go to the polling stations. After the elections, there will be pressure on both the winning and losing parties to implement their policies at the field level. I have seen many kinds of promises in the election field, but in real experience, these promises seem like empty words. The parties have no desire to keep the internal political culture in the parties healthy. Naturally, there is pressure on women. That is why political parties are making big promises on women's issues. But the parties do not have the mentality to accept all types of women socially. This time, a large number of women will go to vote. But there are doubts about how much impact the parties will be able to feel.”
(Translated by Lutful Hoque)
