Explaining the Participation-Representation Paradox: Gender, Conflict, and Political Recruitment in Jammu and Kashmir

Purpose The current study aims to investigate the continuity of the participation-representation paradox by determining whether there is an increase in female participation in elections, which in turn translates to an increase in their representation in politics. It also aims to determine the institutional mechanisms that cause this gap between participation and representation. Design/methodology/approach To carry out this research, a longitudinal research design is employed, which incorporates data from various elections over time. It utilizes descriptive and multivariate regression analyses to examine the impact of female voter turnout, candidacy, and other variables such as conflicts on their representation. Findings The research findings show a significant gap between participation and representation, which is consistent over time. This gap is statistically significant, and despite a high level of female voter turnout, their representation is still very low in comparison to their male counterparts. Female candidacy is found to be a significant variable in determining their representation, and high deposit forfeiture is an indication of low female competitiveness in elections, while conflicts impact both female representation and female candidacy negatively. Research limitations/implications The use of aggregate electoral data has its limitations in that it is not possible to study the process at the micro-level, for example, in-party selection and voter behaviour. Practical implications There is a need to move the policy agenda beyond participation-oriented policies to institutional solutions such as gender quotas, in-party democratization, and financial incentives for women candidates. Social implications The high level of participation and low level of representation create a concern for the quality of democracy and inclusiveness. Originality/value This study provides a comprehensive approach to participation, recruitment, and contextual factors in advancing the understanding of gender representation in politics. JEL Classification Codes: D72, O17, P16, Z13