Ranchi, February 14 Women voters may play a decisive role in the election outcome in the 14 urban local bodies (ULBs) in Jharkhand, where they outnumber men in the electoral rolls, officials said on Saturday.
Civic polls to 48 ULBs in the state, including Ranchi, will be held on February 23, and the votes will be counted on February 27, they said.
ULB elections in Jharkhand are not contested on the basis of the electoral symbols of political parties, but candidates are supported by the parties.
The contesting candidates, mainly those supported by ruling and opposition parties, are leaving no stone unturned to woo women voters with various promises, including pension and welfare scheme benefits, besides a vow to ensure their safety.
The civic bodies where women outnumber men in the electoral rolls include the Giridih Municipal Corporation, Madhupur Nagar Parishad (Deoghar), Lohardaga Nagar Parishad (Lohardaga), Gumla Nagar Parishad (Gumla), Simdega Nagar Parishad (Simdega) and Chakradharpur Nagar Parishad (West Singhbhum), officials said.
Other civic bodies with such demographics include Chaibasa Nagar Parishad (West Singhbhum), Kapali Nagar Parishad (Seraikela-Kharswan), Koderma Nagar Panchayat (Koderma), Domchanch Nagar Panchayat (Koderma), Jamtara Nagar Panchayat (Jamtara), Bundu Nagar Panchayat (Ranchi), Khunti Nagar Panchayat (Khunti) and Chakulia Nagar Panchayat (East Singhbhum), they said.
Among the 14 civic bodies, the Gumla Nagar Parishad registered the highest number of women voters at 18,763, compared to 16,819 male electors, according to the electoral rolls.
Over 43.33 lakh voters, including 21.26 lakh women, are eligible to exercise their franchise in the elections to 1,087 wards in nine municipal corporations, 20 nagar parishads and 19 nagar panchayats.
As many as 562 candidates, including 235 women, are contesting for the post of mayor or chairperson, while 5,569 candidates, including 2,727 women, are contesting for the post of ward councillors, an election official said.
