Tamil Nadu is heading to the polls on April 23, and women voters are expected to play a decisive role in shaping the state’s political landscape.
With over 3.1 crore women on the electoral roll, they constitute 51 per cent of the total electorate, outnumbering men by more than 12.21 lakh. The state’s total electorate now stands at 5.67 crore, with 2.89 crore women and 2.77 crore men, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The gender gap has widened over the last five years. In the 2021 Assembly elections, women accounted for 50.7 per cent of the electorate, while men made up 49.3 per cent. At the time, women outnumbered men by around 10.15 lakh.
Following the removal of nearly 74 lakh ineligible names from the electoral rolls, the total
number of voters has decreased, but women now hold a stronger majority in percentage terms, rising to 51.07 per cent.
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District-wise, the female advantage is evident. In Chennai, with a total of 28.3 lakh voters, there are 14.64 lakh women compared to 13.65 lakh men.
Thiruvallur, the district with the highest number of electors at 31.57 lakh, has 16.12 lakh female voters against 15.44 lakh men. In Erode, women outnumber men by over 63,000, while in Coimbatore, the gap is even higher, with 13.95 lakh women versus 13 lakh men.
Even in smaller districts like The Nilgiris, the female electorate is larger, with 2.85 lakh women compared to 2.61 lakh men. Southern districts also show significant gaps: Madurai has 12.58 lakh women against 12.08 lakh men, and Thanjavur records 10.04 lakh female voters compared to 9.47 lakh male voters.
Welfare Schemes At Centre Of Campaigns
Political parties are increasingly targeting women with welfare measures, recognising their influence at the ballot box. The ruling DMK, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has promised Rs 2,000 per month to women and an additional Rs 8,000 annually for household support through the “Illatharasi” coupon. The party has also highlighted its existing welfare architecture, which delivers steady, predictable income directly to women to help manage daily expenses.
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The opposition AIADMK is countering with a broader Rs 10,000 family support promise, in addition to subsidies such as free transport and other household benefits.
Another player, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by Vijay, has offered Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for women, combined with benefits like free bus travel, LPG cylinders, and symbolic rewards such as gold for marriages and newborn girls.
Beyond welfare, women’s safety is emerging as a key electoral issue. Opposition parties have highlighted instances of crime against women to question the government’s administrative efficiency, while the DMK has defended its record.
The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections will be held in a single phase across 234 constituencies on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4.
(With inputs from agencies)
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