(Image source from: dailypioneer.com)

State Election Commission in Maharashtra Appointed transgender Activist  Gauri Sawant as one of the twelve Poll ambassadors for upcoming general elections to create awareness among voters and increase the voting percentage.

Speaking to TOI, Sawant said “I will generate awareness among sex workers and housewives about the importance of voting. Sex workers and their welfare do not feature on the agenda of any of the parties, so even they do not bother to vote. But this has to change.”

She added that several woman are not aware about their voting rights, “The voting day is a holiday and their husbands are at home, so they are busy cooking for them and do not go out to vote,” said Sawant.

“We will reach out to them and explain why it is important to vote and that many countries still do not give women the right to do so. If we cannot go on the border and fight, we should at least go to the election booth and vote,” she added.

As per data, there are 2086 registered transgender voters in Maharashtra, the numbers increased as compared to 2014, In those election there were 918 registered voters.

In 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha elections there was no record of transgenders voters

By Sai Kumar