West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026: Women Candidates Surge to 385
Kolkata: The participation of women candidates in the West Bengal assembly elections has shown a substantial increase in 2026, with 385 women entering the political fray this time, compared to 240 in the 2021 polls. This data comes from comprehensive reports compiled by the Association for Democratic Rights (ADR) and West Bengal Election Watch (WBEW), highlighting a positive trend in gender representation.
Detailed Breakdown of Women Candidates
According to the ADR and WBEW reports, the 385 women candidates are distributed across the two phases of the election. Specifically, 167 women will contest in the first phase, while 218 will participate in the second phase. The total number of candidates for the 2026 elections stands at 2,920 across both phases, with the first phase scheduled for April 23.
In the 2021 assembly polls, there were 240 female contestants out of a total of 2,130 candidates. This marks an increase of 154 women candidates in 2026, alongside a rise in the overall number of contestants. Consequently, the share of female candidates has improved from 11% in 2021 to 13% in 2026, indicating a gradual shift towards greater gender inclusivity in the political arena.
Party-Wise Distribution of Women Candidates
Among the major political parties, the Trinamool Congress leads with 55 women candidates, demonstrating a commitment to fielding female representatives. The Congress party follows with 44 women candidates, while the Left Front and its allies have fielded 35. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nominated 33 women candidates, contributing to the overall increase.
Voter Demographics and Gender Ratio
Election Commission data reveals that as of January 2025, there were nearly 3.7 crore women voters in West Bengal, accounting for nearly half of the total electorate. However, after the special intensive revision (SIR), the gender ratio for women voters is expected to decline slightly from 969 in 2025 to 964 in 2026, a factor that could influence electoral outcomes.
Expert Insights on Women's Representation
Ujjaini Halim, the state coordinator of ADR and WBEW, commented on the increase, noting that it appears nominal in the context of ongoing efforts to propose 33% reservation for women in legislative bodies. She emphasized, "We don't need an act to increase the participation of women and their presence as candidates. The political parties have to come forward and increase the presence of women across the parties. It is surprising that almost half of the electorate is being represented by 13% people in the legislative bodies."
Age-Wise Analysis of Candidates
The combined report for the two phases also provides insights into the age distribution of candidates. In 2026, a total of 854 candidates aged between 25 and 40 years are contesting, representing 29% of the total. While this number has increased from 660 in 2021, the share has decreased from 31% due to the rise in overall contestants.
For candidates aged between 41 and 60 years, there are 1,567 (53%) in 2026, compared to 1,110 (52%) in 2021. Additionally, the number of senior citizens contesting has risen to 495 in 2026 from 359 in 2021, reflecting a broader age diversity among candidates.
This analysis underscores the evolving dynamics of the West Bengal assembly elections, with increased women candidates and varied age groups contributing to a more representative political landscape.
