In a progressive step, the state chief electoral officer has appointed a transgender person as an election ambassador in charge of creating awareness among voters and increasing the voting percentage. The chief electoral officer’s office has appointed transgender activist Gauri Sawant (38) as one of the 12 “state icons” ahead of the general elections.

Sawant said she is honoured to be appointed as the “one and only” transgender election ambassador in the country. “I will generate awareness among sex workers and housewives about the importance of voting. Sex workers and their welfare do not feature on the agenda of any of the parties, so even they do not bother to vote. But this has to change,” Sawant told TOI.

She pointed out that several women are also ignorant about their voting rights.

“The voting day is (usually) a holiday and their husbands are at home, so they are busy cooking for them and do not go out to vote,” said Sawant. “We will reach out to them and explain why it is important to vote and that many countries still do not give women the right to do so. If we cannot go to the border and fight, we should at least go to the election booth and vote,” she said.