People's Manifesto and
impact women’s
participation in elections
Pradeep Baisakh
Wada Na Todo Abhiyan (WNTA)
About WNTA
• A National Campaign of 3000 CSOs
• Works on ‘holding the government accountable
on the promises made to the people’
• Works on MDGs post-2015 development
agenda, People’s Manifesto and Performance
review of UPA I & II
People’s Manifesto
• Scope of involvement of a citizen in electoral
process is huge
• It should go beyond a passive voter to an active
participant in processes of democracy
Preparation of people’s manifesto is a pro-active
engagement of citizen in the electioneering
• It influences the manifesto making process of
different political parties.
People’s Manifesto cont…
• In 2009, WNTA pioneered the process
• It was path breaking and was considered to be a blueprint, made by the
people, for the future of India.
• It was prepared in 350 Parliament constituencies through public meetings
from across 28 States and 3 Union Territories.
• Covered 4 lakh people
• Many political parties including left parties, Congress and others incorporated
suggestions/demands
• Right to food and education figured in UPA agenda
• In MP, People’s Manifesto for the Assembly elections prepared
• The process was felt important by political parties this time
• Wider consultation by parties with people and CSOs
• Rahul Gandhi taking keen interest. Modi tweets for “Your voice, your
manifesto!: wants people’s inputs to BJP’s manifesto making process
People’s Manifesto for 2014
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250 Parliamentary constituencies spread across 22 states will be covered this time
States: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh,
Maharashtra, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and others
Wider engagement of civil society organisations, women’s organisations, trade unions, student
groups, Dalit organisations, Tribal organisations, and other groups representing various
marginalized sections.
At least 50% Women in every meeting to be ensured
10 lakh people to be touched. Nearly five lakh women
Meeting with Women’s groups, specially the SHGs planned
Participants in the manifesto making are most likely to vote
Follow up discussion among SHG meetings stressed: a ripple effect expected
Sharing that earlier inputs to this process made way to the final governance process likely to
generate more interest among women
Likely to influence the involvement of women in voting and electoral processes (e.g. campaigning
for a party!)
Increase awareness of women and influence their participation in local elections
Engaging mass media and social media
Engaging political parties
Finally the Aam Admi Effect…
Thanks
Mail id: pradeep.wnta@gmail.com