Inclusivity for all

APTEN have put forward their demands to ECP to facilitate trans individuals' participation in the next general polls

Sensing the discriminatory treatment of the transgender community, the All Pakistan Transgender Election Network (APTEN) alongside the various representative organisations of the community have put forward their demands to the Election Commission of Pakistan, that seek to facilitate trans individuals and their optimum participation in the next general polls.

While it is advisable that the ECP considers their demands, it is also important to ponder upon the factors that led APTEN to release a charter of demands. Arguably, it is not impossible to identify that a country with a population of over 200 million, undercounts transgender members at a meagre number of about 10,000. On top of that only 13 transgender contestants from across Pakistan have been given tickets to contest for the political representation of thousands of their community and then the country as a whole. However, that too is possible only if the majority deems them equal citizens, possessing equivalent capabilities to lead a country.

Only a few months ago the upper legislative house passed the Transgender persons Protection of Rights Bill 2018, that alongside numerous other rights awarded the transgender community to cast their vote. However, the right to lead is as important as the right to choose. The dream of collective inclusivity will remain unreal until and unless the perceived bias towards an oppressed community that has spent ages in hideouts in absence of its right of due political and social participation remains unrepresented for.

Appreciably, the ECP’s Gender Affairs wing is working to enhance and ensure women’s participation in the entire electoral process, with the training of female polling staff and conducting awareness programme to encourage female voters to utilise their constitutional right. Another step in this regard, with a similar initiative for the transgender persons, particularly targeted at non-discrimination and their social, societal acceptance and political representation will bear fruitful results.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 15^th, 2018.

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