LokSabha 2019: Transgenders happy they can exercise their franchise

LokSabha 2019: Transgenders happy they can exercise their franchise

PUNE: City-based transgenders on Tuesday cast their votes owning up to their identity during the Lok Sabha elections in the city. The transgenders said their votes would make a huge difference in their community. 

“I never took the initiative to make a voter ID before 2011 because I knew I wasn’t male and only two gender options were available then. After the transgender option got recognition, I applied for a voter ID. I can raise my voice with my gender identity now,” said Sonali Dalvi, proudly showing her Voter ID card which mentions her gender. 

“We neither have the Maharashtra transgender welfare board nor any government resolution nor any housing schemes for the transgender community. We will now emphasise on the transgender bill, surrogacy bill and trafficking bill,” said Dalvi.

Aishwarya Pandav first voted as a male in the previous Lok Sabha polls; however, it was a sense of freedom for her when she voted with her real identity. “People standing in the queue for voting had a mixed reaction when they saw me. Some were surprised while a few had a progressive attitude that everybody is able to use their right. Officials inside the polling booth were cooperative. It was elating to vote for the first time with my identity,” said Pandav. 

“We are lagging behind when it comes to education and jobs. Most transgenders now seek education and need job opportunities. Therefore, we expect the government to support us by bringing in better welfare schemes,” said Pandav, a BCom student and a counsellor at the competitive exam centre at Deccan Corner.

Chandani Gore, the only transgender voter during the Maharashtra State Assembly polls in 2014, proudly cast her vote. Gore, who was appointed as the vice-president of the National Congress Party’s women cell in Pune, said, “Like voting is our right, contesting an election too is one. If I get an opportunity to contest elections, I will definitely do so. One can bring a change in their community only by working in it. Even while campaigning, I realised a communication gap between citizens and us (transgenders) was bridged.”

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