SHILLONG: There is no third gender in the electoral rolls in Meghalaya in this election too.
The categories are only male and female.
The chief electoral officer, Frederick Kharkongor, said that earlier, the election department had examined the case of two voters, but after proper examination, they were not found to be third gender.
However, sources said that though there are some in Shillong who fall in the category of third gender, they are yet to come out openly.
Kharkongor said the election department has not received any application regarding the matter.
In the 36 Assembly segments under Shillong Lok Sabha seat, only in six constituencies, the male voters are more than their female counterparts.
Out of 24 Assembly segments in Garo Hills, in 17 constituencies, the male voters outnumber the female electorate.
A person belonging to third gender said she went to the office of Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, last December but she was told all certificates, including school certificates need to be changed and it will take around three months. “We can change the birth certificate but there is no third option in school certificates as the categories are only male and female. My name is under male in all the certificates”.
Sources said that the election department should have created awareness programme for the persons belonging to third gender like in the case of persons with disability.
