Source – dailypioneer.com
The population of transgender voters has increased by more than 10 times in Ranchi since the last Vidhan Sabha elections of 2014.
The total number of third gender voters in 2014 was merely 7, whereas in 2019 as of on November 21, the total number of transgender voters registered in the electoral roll is 73.
“There has been a significant increase in the number of transgender voters since the 2014 Vidhan Sabha elections. This is primarily because of the various programmes launched for promotion of inclusive voting,” said District Election Officer cum Deputy Commissioner Rai Mahimapat Ray. After the judgment of the Supreme Court of India in NALSA versus Union of India in 2014, it has been established that a person by their own right can determine their gender and no medical or psychological tests will be required for the same. Various sensitization drives across different levels and government officials have been conducted in Ranchi, to ensure that government offices are aware of such right — and assure ease and respectfulness to all persons applying for official change in their name or gender. The district administration has also launched special drives right down to the booth level officer to include the names of transgender voters in the electoral roll.
Activities under SVEEP (Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation) are also being conducted in specific areas with high transgender registrations for voter awareness and electoral participation. “The events are being organised in areas where the booths have maximum enrollment of transgender voters. All posters for voter awareness programmes also have icons encouraging them to come out and cast their vote for inclusive voting.
This is being done to make everyone feel a part of the whole process and no one is left behind. The aim is to give a message that voting is for all regardless of the socio –economic background one belongs to,” said an official.
At polling stations in areas with high transgender registrations, the administration is trying to sensitize the polling personnel as well. Special confidence building measures are also being taken including safe voting process.
The administration is also ensuring that the voters are not discriminated at the polling booths and no untoward incidents take place.
As per the statistics, the total number of voters registered in Ranchi are 22,83,482 which includes 11,76,245 male and 11,07,164 female voters. The total voters registered for the 2014 Vidhan Sabha elections were 19,11,227 which included 10,45,910 male and 8,65,310 female voters.