After the second phase of elections, 508 transgender and special persons will play their role in the local government structure of 31 districts of Sindh for the first time in the history of Pakistan.
In the Local Government Amendment Act, one per cent seats have been reserved for transgender people and one per cent for special persons.
In this way, for the first time the eunuchs and special persons will start their political journey by stepping into the local councils.
The transgender and special persons in Karachi will also vote for mayor, deputy mayor, town chairman and vice chairman.
In 25 Town Municipal Corporations of seven districts of Karachi Division and KMC, and in other districts of Sindh, eunuchs and special persons will be elected in Town Committees, Municipal Committees and District Councils, Municipal Corporations and Town Municipal Corporations.
Earlier, there were reserved seats for women, labours, farmers, youth and minorities in the Local Government Act, but in the amended Local Government Act, reserved seats for transgender and special persons have also been reserved.
In the first phase of local body elections in Sindh, the number of seats reserved for eunuchs and special persons will be 306 in 101 town committees of 14 districts, 23 municipal committees, 14 district councils, four municipal corporations and 11 town municipal corporations.
After the notification of local body candidates who are successful in the first phase, the election schedule will be released for the reserved seats.
Similarly, after the second phase of municipal elections, there will be 202 reserved seats for eunuchs and special persons in 25 towns of Karachi, one in metropolitan corporation, nine towns of Hyderabad,two in Hyderabad municipal committees and eight in district councils of other districts.
PPP wins in 98 out of 101 town committees
According to the unofficial results of the first phase of local elections in Sindh, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has won in 98 out of 101 town committees.
In addition, the PPP won all 14 district councils, 23 municipal committees, four municipal corporations, and 11 town municipal corporations in Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, and Benazirabad.
Transgender community
The President of Gender Interactive Alliance (GIA) Bindiya Rana, while talking to The Express Tribune, said that the transgender community wanted its representation in the provincial and national assemblies, but the initiative to be the part of the local bodies is community's first move. We have 18,000 transgenders registered with GIA but now it has to be seen how many of them want to pursue political careers, Bindiya said, adding that GIA has held several meetings in this regard to finalise its action plan for the local government representation.
In response to a question, Bindiya said that after being elected, their priority would be to improve water supply and sewerage lines. However, we are not yet sure about the powers we will have as elected representatives, Bindiya said, adding that in the absence of powers and authority, our representation in local bodies would be of no use.
Bindiya said that there is a large number of educated transgenders registered with the GIA. We want them to come forward and play their role in public service.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2022.
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