Guwahati: As Assam heads toward Legislative Assembly elections in March–April 2026, a familiar gap is resurfacing in the state’s political landscape. Women turn out to vote in large numbers, but remain sparsely represented as candidates and elected MLAs. With the current Assembly’s term ending in May, the issue is drawing renewed attention in Guwahati, where party ticket decisions, campaign strategies, and civic debates are taking shape.
Despite women forming nearly half of Assam’s electorate and consistently recording strong turnout, their presence on the ballot and on the Assembly floor remains disproportionately low, raising questions about fair participation in the polls ahead.
Ahead of Assam Assembly elections in March–April 2026, women continue to be underrepresented in state politics despite strong voter turnout. Since 1951, only 77 women have been elected to the 126-member Assembly, and in 2021, just six women won seats, highlighting a persistent gender gap in representation.
A Longstanding Pattern in Assam Politics
Since Assam’s first Assembly election in 1951, women have struggled for visibility. Over 14 elections, only 77 women have been elected to the 126-seat Assembly, averaging under 6% representation across decades.
The trend was evident in the 2021 Assembly elections. Of 946 candidates, only 74 were women (7.8%). Major parties fielded limited numbers. Bharatiya Janata Party nominated 39 women, and Indian National Congress fielded 24, yet only six women won, accounting for 4.8% of the House.
Declining Numbers, Limited Tickets
Data shows stagnation or decline rather than progress. Women MLAs made up 6.34% of the Assembly in 2016, a figure that fell further by 2021. Across election cycles, major parties have rarely crossed 10–16% ticket allocation for women, often citing “winnability” as the deciding factor.
Unlike SC/ST representation, there is no constitutional reservation for women in state legislative assemblies, leaving candidate selection entirely to party discretion.
Guwahati at the Centre of Decisions
As Assam’s political and administrative hub, Guwahati is where most ticket negotiations, alliance talks, and strategy meetings unfold. Women leaders and civil society groups in the city say that while campaign rhetoric increasingly highlights women voters, ticket distribution from party headquarters in Guwahati tells a different story.
Activists argue that without structural measures, the gap between women’s electoral participation and representation will persist regardless of turnout levels.
Why This Matters Ahead of 2026
With elections approaching, the composition of the next Assembly will shape policy priorities for the next five years. Low representation, observers note, can limit diverse perspectives in law-making on issues ranging from health and education to safety and livelihoods.
As Guwahati becomes the focal point of pre-election mobilisation, whether parties translate women’s voting strength into meaningful representation remains an open question.
What to Watch Next
In the months ahead, attention will be on party candidate lists, particularly the share of women nominees announced from Guwahati-based headquarters. Whether parties increase women’s representation or maintain the status quo will be closely watched as Assam moves toward the 2026 polls.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Assam Assembly elections scheduled?
The elections are expected to be held in March–April 2026, with the current term ending in May.
How many women MLAs are there currently in Assam?
After the 2021 elections, only six women were elected to the 126-member Assembly.
Why is women’s representation low despite high voter turnout?
Parties field relatively few women candidates, prioritising perceived winnability, and there is no reservation for women in state assemblies.
Does Assam have a reservation for women MLAs?
No. Unlike SC/ST quotas, there is no constitutional reservation for women in legislative assemblies.
