Political parties in India are going all out to win the support of women in this year's ongoing elections, with female candidates and voters calling for increased representation of women in parliament and for more efforts to be made to empower women across the country.

Close to a billion people are expected to cast their ballots at over one million polling stations across the country during the world’s largest election process, which is being conducted across seven phases from April 19 through to June 1.

As the election heats up, many candidates have been campaigning heavily and have pledged female-friendly policies in their election manifestos as they look to draw a large share of the women’s vote,

"For women, we have, in our manifesto, we've introduced the 'Griha Lakshmi' scheme -- every woman who is managing the household will get one lakh per year [100,000 rupees], translating to 8,500 [rupees] per month to provide shelter from the inflation," said Deepender Singh Hooda, a candidate for the Congress.

While women are seen as important stakeholders who could swing the overall result, India is still a long way from having equal representation in the male-dominated parliament, as the percentage of female candidates fielded by all political parties in these elections is still below 20-percent.

However, efforts are ongoing to change the status quo, and one of the candidates for India's ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam" -- a landmark bill which was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to reserve a third of its seats in the lower house and state assemblies for women and was passed by the parliament last year -- could gradually boost female participation in politics as Modi aims to secure a third term.

He has already brought 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' in by giving 33 percent of reservation [of seats] to women in both state assemblies and in the Parliament. In his next five year tenure, in 'Modi 3.0', you will see implementation of the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', which means that the representation of women will automatically improve," said Bansuri Swaraj, a female candidate for the BJP.

The Election Commission of India estimates that around 470 million women will vote this time, and many of those heading out to cast their ballots say that jobs and safety are among their top concerns.

"I want the government to do more in the field of women’s education. I believe women should be educated and be able to reach the top in their career fields. These days, women are educated, but they rarely achieve much in their jobs," said said Shabnam, a voter.

"I want the new government to provide employment and safety and do more for the underprivileged classes and Muslims. This government has not done much for these groups," said Meghna Ambesh, a voter.

Another voter, Tanisha Soni, said she wanted the government to ensure safety for women and provide to them with better job opportunities.

SHOTLIST:

India - Recent
1. Various of Congress candidate Deepender Singh Hooda campaigning, supporters;
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Deepender Singh Hooda, candidate for Congress:
"For women, we have, in our manifesto, we've introduced the 'Griha Lakshmi' scheme -- every woman who is managing the household will get one lakh per year [100,000 rupees], translating to 8,500 [rupees] per month to provide shelter from the inflation.";
3. Various of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Bansuri Swaraj campaigning on street, supporters;
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Bansuri Swaraj, candidate, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP):
"He has already brought 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' in by giving 33 percent of reservation [of seats] to women in both state assemblies and in the Parliament. In his next five year tenure, in 'Modi 3.0', you will see implementation of the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', which means that the representation of women will automatically improve.";
5. Various of voters at polling stations;
6. Female voter posing for photo with "proud voter" poster;
7. SOUNDBITE (Hindi, dubbed in English) Shabnam, voter (full name not given) (starting with shot 6):
"I want the government to do more in the field of women's education. I believe women should be educated and be able to reach the top in their career fields. These days, women are educated, but they rarely achieve much in their jobs.";
8. SOUDNBITE (Hindi, dubbed in English) Meghna Ambesh, voter:
"I want the new government to provide employment and safety, and do more for the underprivileged classes and Muslims. This government has not done much for these groups.";
9. SOUNDBITE (Hindi, dubbed in English) Tanisha Soni, voter:
"I want the government to ensure safety for women and provide us with better job opportunities.";
10. Various of voters at polling stations.

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