MARCOS GONSALVES
marcos@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: At last, nine transgenders from Goa, seven from South and two from North will now be able to exercise their franchise during the Goa Assembly elections scheduled on February 14.
It will be a moment to cherish for these transgenders, as some, who have been residing in Goa for the last 10-20 years, have been registered in the electoral rolls for the first time. The Election Commission held a special drive to enrol transgenders in the voters’ list.
On the 12th National Voters’ Day all these transgenders were felicitated by Governor of Goa P S Sreedharan Pillai at the function held in Margao. They all had a slogan ‘Hamara Mat, Hamara Adhikar’.
“My dream will now see the light of the day on February 14, as I will be casting my vote for the first time in my life,” said Zarina, a transgender from South Goa.
“I have been residing in Goa for the last 20 years, and it was the first time somebody convinced me to get registered in the electoral roll so that I get my voting right”, Zarina added.
Happy on being registered as voter, a smiling Zoya Chavan, another transgender from South Goa said, “I cannot express my happiness in words, as I will be casting my vote like all other general voters. We used to witness and observe the elections, and we were feeling very bad for not getting a chance to go to the polling booth and cast our votes. However, it is a great recognition for our community. I am very excited and waiting for the day when I will be casting my vote for the first time in my life”.
Vinas, another transgender said, “To have the voting right means internal peace. I am now 45-year-old, but feel I am just 18. I have suffered a lot for the last 20 years. However, it is now time to forget the past, and look forward”.
Renuka Bahadur also expressed the same feelings just like Zarina and Zoya.
Juliana Lohar, Cordinator ARZ, a social work organisation committed to combating trafficking of persons for the purpose of sexual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation in Goa said she is very much happy to see transgenders in Goa are getting their voting rights for the first time.
“With this right they are treated as equal. They got the feeling that they are citizens of this country. We assure that with this voting card they are going to get respect in the society,” she added.
