Ahmedabad: Migration, ageing populations and neighbourhood demographics are quietly reshaping voter lists in parts of Gujarat. In a reversal of the usual electoral gender pattern, 11 of 182 assembly constituencies in Gujarat now have more women voters than men, according to the final voters' list published by the Election Commission, following nearly three-and-a-half months of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Most of these segments are ST seats in the southern districts. However, two non-tribal, urban constituencies — Ellisbridge and Navsari — also reflect this demographic edge for women.
The list of constituencies with over 1,000 women voters per 1,000 men includes Vyara (ST) with a ratio of 1,063, Mahuva (ST) at 1,057, Nizar (ST) and Mandvi (ST) at 1,044 each, Vansda (ST) at 1,031, Navsari at 1,017, Devgadh Baria at 1,009, Gandevi (ST) at 1,008, Ellisbridge at 1,003, Dharampur (ST) at 1,002, and Dediapada at 1,001. Most of the ST seats are located in the tribal belt of South Gujarat, where relatively stable populations and lower levels of male out-migration contribute to a more balanced voter base, said election officials.
In contrast, several industrial and migration-heavy constituencies report weaker gender balances. Karanj in Surat has a ratio of 846 women per 1,000 men; Rapar stands at 871; Limbayat and Dhandhuka at 874 each; and Udhna at 878. Officials attribute these imbalances largely to labour-driven migration, where men relocate for work and remain enrolled in local rolls while families stay behind or are registered elsewhere.
Within Ahmedabad, Ellisbridge stands out against the broader urban trend. District officials said that after finalising city-level data, teams examined neighbourhood patterns to understand the constituency's higher share of women voters. They pointed to two major slum clusters, including Gulbai Tekra, where women voters are higher in number. They also highlighted parts of Navrangpura ward, where women voters — particularly senior citizens — outnumber men in several localities.
Officials said multiple factors could be at play. "One reasons could be higher number of youths settled in other countries and state," said an official, describing a pattern of overseas migration and outstation employment that alters the visible voter base.
The Paldi ward, which falls within Ellisbridge, was also cited as contributing to the higher female voter share. Together, these neighbourhood-level patterns have placed Ellisbridge among the few urban constituencies in Gujarat where women voters exceed men.
In Surat, the contrast is sharper. Constituencies such as Karanj, Limbayat, Udhna, Varachha Road and Katargam reflect the impact of industrial growth and migrant labour markets. Officials said extended single-male migration is influencing the composition of electoral rolls in these segments, where voter gender ratios have fallen below 900 in some cases. Similar patterns were observed in Ahmedabad's industrial zones such as Vatva, Nikol and Amraiwadi, where migrant-heavy settlements influence the composition of the rolls.
A senior official noted that migration streams from Saurashtra also shape urban voter demographics. "Saurashtra and North Gujarat have a skewed sex ratio, which could be contributing to the low ratios in Surat and Ahmedabad, where a large migrant population from the region lives," the official said.
Navsari, the other non-tribal constituency among the 11, was described as having multiple contributing factors, including pockets with NRI-dominated households and areas reflecting the demographic stability seen in parts of the southern belt. While not an ST seat, officials said its local dynamics overlap with trends observed in regions where family-based residence is more common and migration levels are lower.
The constituency-level voter data comes amid wider concern about gender imbalance in the state. Gujarat recorded a sex ratio at birth of 909 girls per 1,000 boys, according to the Centre's report, ‘Vital Statistics of India based on the Civil Registration System 2021'. The report placed Gujarat among the most skewed states on this indicator, with a ratio lower than most of the country and only marginally better than Bihar (908), Rajasthan (905) and Assam (863). State figures show the sex ratio at birth was 898 in 2017, 897 in 2018, 901 in 2019 and 909 in 2020, and remained at 909 in 2021.
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