EC provides 'Other' identity to transsexuals

New Delhi, Nov 13: Taking a landmark decision, the Election Commission of India allowed the eunuchs and transsexuals to indicate their sex as 'Other' in the electoral roll and in all other forms used by the EC including IT-based formats and websites.

"Enumerators and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) shall be instructed to indicate the sex of eunuchs/transsexuals etc as 'O' if they so desire, while undertaking any house-to-house enumeration/verification of any application," the EC said.

In a statement released on Thursday, Nov 12, the poll panel said that the necessary instructions to all Electoral Registration Officers have been issued through the Chief Electoral Officers of all states and Union Territories to implement the decision.

Until now, the eunuch were registered as male or female based on the statement given by the person concerned.

However, on receiving demands from individuals and interest groups to include them in the electoral rolls with an independent identity, the EC took this decision.

OneIndia News