Trans voters urged to exercise their right
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 23 2022:
District Election Officer, Imphal East in association with Transgender Health and Wellness Centre (TGH & WC) and Maruploi Foundation organised a workshop on 'Transgender: Accessible and Inclusive Election' at Panchayat Bhavan in Imphal East DC office complex on Sunday.
Speaking as chief guest of the workshop, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Manipur Rajesh Agarwal pointed out that electors are the most important pillars in a democracy.
A democratic government is formed by the people for the people through exercise of universal adult franchise.
Thus, the members of every section of the society should exercise this right.
He continued that ECI has given a separate identity for transgender people to allow them to cast their votes without facing any discrimination whatsoever.
Although the matter of mainstreaming the transgender was not considered about two decades ago, it is only right to give them their rights in the present society.
As such, he urged all transgender people in the state to exercise their right and ensure 100 percent inclusivity in the upcoming polls.
Urging all concerned to carry this message to all transgender, Rajesh estimated that around 4.8 lakh transgender are present in the country but only 30,000 voters have been identified as transgender.
Thus, he appealed to the remaining members of the community to bravely come forward and exercise their right to vote.
The ECO recounted that women used to face huge discrimination some 50 years ago.
However, the participation of women in elections has increased in the last 20 years.
The issues faced by women are being discussed as they are now important stakeholders in the electoral process.
Even political parties have earmarked 40 per cent reservation for women candidates, indicating that the importance of women in electoral process has been realised, he added.
On the other hand, Manipur could set an example by encouraging participation of transgender in politics, making it a game changer for the country.
Transgender is a section of the society and their rights do not differ from the rights provided to people of other genders.
Additionally, ECI has taken up various measures for voters who cannot come to the polling stations to vote such as through postal ballots to include them in the electoral process.
Thus, he urged people to come out and vote to ensure 100 per cent voting rate.
Presided over by Imphal East DEO Kh Diana, the workshop was attended by Imphal East SP Pradip as guest of honour.
During the first technical session of the workshop, which was moderated by TGH & WC community advocate Roro Khumanthem, discussions were held on the topic of 'Issues faced by the Third Gender community in the electoral process'.
The second technical session which was held on the topic of 'Expectations from the Government & Steps taken up by the Government' was moderated by TGH & WC community volunteer Andrew Leishangthem; while the last session was held on the topic of 'Voting Right & its importance to the Community' and moderated by TGH & WC centre coordinator Bonita Pebam.
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