Just a few weeks are left for Gujarat assembly elections but the transgender community in Surat’s Godarda is unlikely to participate. The community has claimed that they will not be able to vote in the upcoming elections as they have not been allotted voter ID cards as yet.
Lashing out at local authorities for providing no assistance whatsoever in this regard, several members of the transgender community are feeling helpless. One of the members of the community who did receive a voter ID, claimed that the gender was incorrectly stated.
Speaking with ANI, Payal Kunwar, member of the third gender community, said “No one here has a Voter ID card, except me. When I received it, my name was mentioned under the female gender, I am a transgender. So, whenever I produce the voter card, I am told that they have mentioned female on it. I had to face a lot of problem to open my bank account.”
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Notedly, the Supreme Court, in its 2014 judgement, has given “third gender” status to hijras or transgenders.
Another distressed trans woman said that she has an Aadhaar card, but no voter ID card.
No one here except me has a Voter ID card. When I received it, my name was mentioned under female gender. I am a transgender. Whenever I produce it, I am told that they have mentioned female on it. I had to face a lot of problem to open my bank account.: Payal Kunwar pic.twitter.com/F7fOMROKEx
— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2017
“I just have an Aadhaar Card but no Voter Card. I do not even have a bank account. They turn me away whenever I go to them,” said Khushboo. She added that she wants to cast a vote, “just like anyone else.”
I just have an Aadhaar Card but no Voter Card. I do not even have a bank account. They turn me away whenever I go to them. I want to cast my vote too just like anyone else.: Khushboo pic.twitter.com/OXpNQUwuJ5
— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2017
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Gujarat will go to polls in two phases on December 9 and 14, respectively, and counting of votes will take place on December 18.
