Alarming dip: Shillai’s voter gender ratio drops sharply

Himachal Pradesh is witnessing a significant and sudden decline in its voter gender ratio, with Shillai Assembly constituency in Sirmaur district registering the most alarming figure in the state. The latest data compiled during the revision of electoral rolls for the forthcoming Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) elections reveals that Shillai’s voter gender ratio has dropped sharply to 820 females per 1,000 males. Recent data revealed that there are total 78,852 voters registered in Shillai Assembly constituency, which includes 43,293 male and 35,529 female.

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This steep decline has sparked concern regarding electoral inclusivity and shifting demographic trends. According to the 2011 Census, Himachal Pradesh’s gender ratio stood at 974 females per 1,000 males, ranking 10th nationally. The state’s voter gender ratio mirrored this figure as recently as May 2025, though it declined from 981 in October 2022, based on information released by the State Election Commission.

The disparity between Shillai and the next lowest constituency — Churah in Chamba district, which has a ratio of 930 — is particularly alarming, with a gap of 110 points prompting intensified administrative attention.

The anomaly surfaced during the ongoing electoral roll revision process for PRI elections. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nandita Gupta promptly ordered a cross-verification of family registers and voter lists in all panchayats of Shillai Assembly constituency. Deputy Commissioner and District Electoral Officer Priyanka Verma was assigned to oversee the verification to ensure that women listed in family registers but missing from voter rolls are enrolled without delay.

CEO Nandita Gupta, who has been visiting remote panchayats in Shillai Assembly constituency over the past two days, while speaking to The Tribune described the situation as “critical” and in need of immediate intervention. “This is a top-priority issue. No eligible citizen, male or female, should be denied the right to vote,” she stated.

Gupta shared that while collecting first-hand information, locals indicated several contributory factors for the voter gender imbalance: polygyny, migration from rural to urban areas, geographical isolation, lack of approach by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), limited access in difficult terrain, and low enrolment among young women reaching the voting age of 18.

Yesterday 64 women were registered during drives in Bali-koti and Bandli panchayats of Shillai development block, followed by similar efforts today 58 women were registered in Bokala Paab and Shilla panchayats.