Women voters will become the deciding factor in West Bengal`s South 24 Parganas district during the state`s fourth phase Assembly elections for 44 constituencies on April 10.

Cumulatively the number of female voters in the district`s 11 constituencies are more than their male counterparts. In six of them, Sonarpur Dakshin, Sonarpur Uttar, Jadavpur, Tollygunj, Behala Uttar, Behala Dakshin, women have an edge over their male counterparts.

The total number of female voters in these 11 constituencies are 15,70,392, while the number of the male voters is 15,66,161.

The Jadavpur constituency with the highest gender ratio of 1,068, has 1,54,239 female voters against 1,44,420 males.

This is closely followed by Behala Paschim that has a gender ratio of 1,054 with 1,60,502 female voters against 1,52,237 males.

With a gender ratio of 1,051, the high-profile Tollygunj constituency has 1,37,995 female voters against 1,31,355 male voters.

Behala Purba having a gender ratio of 1,036, has 1,56,629 women electors against 1,51,218 men; Sonarpur Dakshin with gender ratio 1,029 has 1,46,170 female voters and 1,42,062 males; and in Sonarpur Uttar, the number of female voters is 1,50,432 against 1,49,430 males with a gender ratio of 1,007.

However, the other five assembly constituencies of Bhangore, Kasba, Maheshtala, Budge Budge and Metiabruz, have more male voters than female voters.

A substantial increase in women voters might play an important role in the ongoing Assembly polls in the state.

The percentage of women voters has not only crossed the 49 per cent mark but the gender ratio has advanced from 956 in 2020 to 961 in the final voters` list published by the Election Commission of India.

West Bengal has been one of the few major states where women participation in the electoral process has been substantially high

In the fourth phase polling will be held on 10th April in 44 assembly segments spread over five districts Hooghly, Howrah, South 24 Pargana, Coochbehar and Alipurduar districts. Campaigning for fifth and sixth phase is also underway in full swing for poll-bound 88 assembly segments.

With aim to gain the support of Hindi-speaking voters which play crucial role in deciding the fortune of candidates in many segments, political parties including BJP and TMC have special focus on them, an AIR report stated.

(With agency inputs)