ISLAMABAD: At least thirteen transgender persons will contest general elections this year. Of the 13 contestants, two will run for the National Assembly while the rest will contest for provincial assembly seats.
The announcement was made at a national consultation organised by All Pakistan Transgender Election Network (APTEN) in collaboration with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). It may be noted that the transgender persons will be able to exercise their rights without any fear of marginalisation following passage of transgenders’ rights’ bill from the Parliament. The names of the aspiring lawmakers were also shared during the meeting. They include Arzu Khan (PK-33), Lubna (PP-26), Komal (PP-38), Madam Bhutto (PP-189), Nayab (NA-142), Ashee (Candidate from Punjab) , Farzana Riaz (NA-33) and others.
Published in Daily Times, May 25th 2018.