West Bengal: Many enrolled third-gender voters have expressed reluctance to stand in queues at polling stations, claiming they are looked down upon and repeatedly asked to prove their identity by security personnel. Is.
Despite having valid documents, including residential proof, many transgenders have not updated their names in the voter list, said Ranjita Sinha, a former member of the state transgender board and a prominent activist.
“If they stand in queues in front of booths, even in urban areas, they are looked down upon,” he said. Transgenders feel uncomfortable with the behavior of security personnel, who repeatedly ask them to produce identity proof. All these things are disturbing.”
Sinha also claimed that the figure of members of the transgender community recorded by the Election Commission in the state is much less than the actual number. While the estimated number ranges between 40,000 to 50,000, the number of transgenders according to the poll panel is 1,837.
He advocated greater empathy and sensitivity towards the community at polling stations, similar to the provisions for men, women, senior citizens and people with disabilities.
“I think there is a lot of lack of sensitivity about third gender people among law enforcement officers, officials and members of political parties,” he said.
Sinha criticized the lack of representation of transgenders in political parties, and underlined the need to raise awareness and include their rights in the political agenda.
He said, “How many transgenders have the parties fielded in the recent elections? No main party in West Bengal has fielded a single transgender. If they were serious about giving due importance to transgenders, then They would have included them in greater numbers.” ,
He also stressed the importance of differentiating between transgenders and the broader LGBTQ+ community to avoid misconceptions.
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Chhabi Hijra, a trans woman from Patuli area and leader of a group of around 100 transgenders, expressed disappointment at being excluded from the voter list despite having valid documents.
Chhavi said many members of the community may abstain from voting, while some may try to exercise their franchise with the help of local leaders of political parties.
An Election Commission official said efforts have been made to encourage members of the transgender community to vote through creative campaigns targeting minorities and disadvantaged groups.
She stressed constitutional and judicial guarantees of fundamental rights for transgenders and said Election Commission officials should ensure that they are able to vote freely.
The ruling Trinamool Congress and the Congress have expressed their commitment in their manifestos to address the challenges faced by LGBT and gay groups and to find practical solutions to promote their rights and inclusion in society.
