“I could have voted this time with my old voter ID but it listed me as a male. I have a new identity now and my new ID card represents that,” said Rhiana, one of around 130 transgender persons who registered recently on the electoral roll following a special drive by poll officials in Delhi.
Currently, Delhi has only 795 third-gender voters. While that number is unlikely to affect political outcomes, for many, being registered on the electoral rolls gives them an official identity.
“When trying to rent a house, owners would charge double the rate because I did not have any identity card. Now, it will be easier to rent a place,” said Saina, another transgender person, who got enrolled recently. Getting bank accounts is also very difficult without any valid identity card, added Saina.
Trained as a Kathak dancer, Sania claims to have won several medals and certificates before transitioning but said there is no scope to showcase talent. “The government should help bring out our talents,” said Sania, who now works at traffic signals and gives blessings at rituals. Lovely, another transgender person, who worked as a mid-level manager said any government that comes to power should look into the employment of people like them, who are educated and willing to work. Currently, Lovely also works at traffic signals and at rituals.
Poll drive
In order to enrol third-gender voters, rules and regulations for getting voter IDs have been simplified by allowing them to submit self-declaration forms, said Sanjay Ambasta, a nodal officer North West Delhi, who helped carry out the drive.
“We were not asked for doctor certificates to prove we are transgenders, which often happens in such situations,” said Sania. Transgender people were also allowed to register under their guru’s name instead of parents.
Following the drive, this week, clad in white Election Commission t-shirts, some of the newly enrolled transgenders have volunteered to persuade others to cast their votes at traffic signals at Jahangirpuri, Azadpur and other public spots in North Delhi.
“People think we are here to ask for money. But, so far, we have received a positive response,” ” said Lovely.
