Lack of inclusivity prompts transgender electors to mull election boycott

Patna: Transgender voters in the city have threatened to boycott the upcoming assembly elections, citing a lack of inclusive measures by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Community activists argue that despite legal protections to them under the Transgender Persons Act , 2019, they continue to face stigma, misrepresentation, and logistical barriers that prevent them from exercising their democratic rights.

With only 4.17% turnout recorded in the 2020 assembly elections and a glaring mismatch between registered and actual transgender voters, the activists claim that the ECI's current approach fails to recognise the dignity and identity of thousands of them. Although Patna district lists 156 registered transgender voters across 14 constituencies, the community members estimate their actual number to be around 7,000, highlighting a significant discrepancy in official records.

Rajan Singh, member of the Bihar state Kinnar Kalyan Board, Govt of Bihar, criticised the ECI over this negligence. "As of now, nothing has been done to increase inclusivity of transgender — no trans icon, no separate polling booth or queue or bathroom, for our community at polling booths," he said. "Would you tell a female to stand in a male queue?" Singh reiterated.

In addition, the community is dismayed by the absence of a visible 'trans icon' for these assembly polls. Although an ECI official mentioned Monica Das, a previous icon for this year poll. However, Das contradicted the statement, confirming that they are not the official trans-icon for this elections.

Highlighting further identity issues, Priti Kinnar, a transgender candidate from the Jan Suraaj party in the Bhorey constituency of Gopalganj, is listed as a male candidate in official documents. Singh believes it is the ECI's responsibility to correct this error and uphold the candidate's true identity.

Anupriya, a member of the Kinnar Kalyan Board and a prominent trans rights activist, shed light on the challenges faced by the transgender community. They pointed out the lack of access to essential social entitlements and the prevalence of voter IDs that still reflect outdated or incorrect names and identities—often referred to as "dead names." Anupriya emphasised that the community often lacks the resources and digital literacy needed to navigate online registration systems, making targeted Aadhaar and voter ID drives crucial.

While stressing that boycotting elections is not the goal, the board member added, "Every vote matters. Voting is the most fundamental right in a democracy, and our community wants to exercise it. We hope that the next govt will ensure equal provisions and recognition for men, women, and transgender alike."

The ECI and district administration are conducting SVEEP (Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation) initiative to increase trans participation, but no other specific provisions are in place. The community questions, "If PWD can have the provision of voting from home, then why can't transgender people have the same? That will help them fight the stigma and exercise their voting rights at the same time."

Lack of inclusivity prompts transgender electors to mull election boycott