No party symbol! Assam Muslim women use photos of hubby, in-laws to woo voters
Guwahati: Muslim women candidates in lower and southern Assam are featuring photographs and names of their male relatives in campaign posters for panchayat elections, where party symbols are not permitted. This practice stems from their limited public presence, as many are housewives with restricted community engagement. The state mandates at least 50% women's representation in panchayat elections, with voting scheduled for May 2 and 7.
At the gaon panchayat level, candidates competing for ward positions form the largest group. Campaigning is ongoing without party affiliations or symbols, as per new electoral regulations. Only anchalik panchayat and zila parishad candidates, representing higher levels in the panchayati raj system, are allowed party sponsorship and the use of political party symbols.
In minority-dominated districts such as South Salmara Mankachar, Dhubri, Sribhumi, and Bongaigaon, campaign posters prominently display candidates' photos alongside socially active family members (up to three). In Sribhumi district of Barak Valley, some posters have puzzled voters by featuring husbands' photos instead of woman candidates.
These promotional materials are widely circulated on social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to attract voters.
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"Male members of our families are well known in the village because they are more socially active and at the forefront of society. Women usually do not engage in social work or other village activities like male family members. That's why the photos and names of male relatives are highlighted in the posters," said Beauty Halima, a candidate from No.-7 Kuchnimara-Jordanga Gaon Panchayat in South Salmara Mankachar district bordering Bangladesh.
She included her social worker husband's photo in her campaign poster to draw attention. Speaking to TOI, Halima said the names and photos of husbands or other relatives have helped women candidates convince villagers of their "credible family background".
Halima said nearly all women candidates in nearby district panchayats have adopted similar tactics. Unmarried female candidates have included names of their fathers, uncles, or brothers. In one instance, two daughters-in-law of one Golap Hussain are competing from different wards in Kuchnimara-Jordanga Gaon Panchayat.
Reshma Khatun, one of them, is Halima's opponent. Both candidates have featured photos of their husbands and father-in-law in their campaign materials.
State election commissioner Alok Kumar said the matter would be reviewed under the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). However, district election officials have found no immediate basis to prohibit such posters.
"Everyone knows husbands, and that's why we feature in the posters. We don't think it's an offence," said Mamon Hussain, whose wife Zaheda Begum is contesting for the post of anchalik panchayat member in No.-6 Malegarh Anchalik Panchayat in Sribhumi district. In the poster, his wife's photo is absent. Mamon explained, "Muslims usually use ladies' photos less. In Islam, we heard there are some restrictions."
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