Delhi Election 2020: Only 79 women are contesting and most of them are independents

• As many as 672 candidates are contesting across 70 constituencies. But, only 79 of them are women.
  
• According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) report, women represent merely 11.8% of the total candidates fielding the elections.
  
• Of the total women fielding elections, 17 are independent candidates.

As Delhi goes to polls on February 8, as many as 672 candidates are contesting across 70 constituencies. But, only 79 of them are women candidates.

The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) report reflects a stark difference in gender participation among all contesting parties. According to the report, women represent merely 11.8% of the total candidates fielding the elections.

However, women participation has increased as compared to the 2015 assembly elections when Delhi sent 66 women candidates — accounting for 10% of the total participants.

The key contesting parties — Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — have fielded 9, 10 and 6 women for the upcoming assembly elections. While 17 of the contesting women are independent candidates.

Congress has sent the maximum number of women candidates to polls. "Congress has tried strengthening the female participation by giving more women the chance to bring a change. Our female candidature is comparatively higher than other major parties. However, I believe that the scenario is changing and we're witnessing more women stepping out and paving their way in the world of politics,” said Akansha Ola of model town constituency.

This is even as political parties have been focusing on women-centered issues to woo voters. From triple talaq to schemes promoting women, the government has been stressing on concerns relating to women over the last few years.

"Female representation is indeed required to bring a change. The count, however, must increase but the party is also expected to give chance to those who are eligible enough. The time is changing and the representation [of women] has increased this time, which is a positive point," BJP candidate Shikha Rai, contesting from Greater Kailash constituency told India Today.

In the last 20 years, over 15 political parties have had women-oriented agendas, as per the Election Commission of India (ECI). The United Women Front (UWF), a political party founded in 2007 had planned to send women for all 72 seats in the Delhi assembly elections of 2008 — but ended up fielding only one.

The results of Delhi assembly elections shall be declared on February 11, 2020.

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