Gauhati High Court orders separate polling arrangement for transgenders

GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court today ordered special instructions concerning transgender voters in the state.

Ruling on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Swati Bidhan Baruah, the court urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to make special arrangements for transgender voters on polling day. Assam will go to polls on March 27, April 1 and 6. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

Assam’s Transgender Welfare Board has also sent a letter to the ECI seeking the same.

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The court also ordered separate rooms/wards for transgender patients in Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).

The court also took note that transgenders were being deprived of ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme and asked the Centre to submit a list of beneficiaries as soon as possible.