Northeast Desk, 5th Jan: Sikkim celebrated a historic moment as five transgender individuals registered as voters for the first time, announced D Anandan, Chief Electoral Officer of Sikkim. The state’s total voter count reached 462,456 as of January 1, 2024, with a net increase of 4,050 from the draft roll.
During the special summary revision, 13,716 new voters were added, and 9,666 deletions occurred, mainly due to deaths or individuals permanently shifting from Sikkim. The inclusion of five transgender voters signals a positive shift in Sikkim’s approach towards diversity and representation.
Anandan highlighted the success of a dedicated drive to enroll persons with disabilities (PwD) in the electoral process. Collaborating with the Women and Child Welfare Department, the initiative involved district collectors and Booth Level Officers visiting the homes of PwD individuals facing challenges visiting registration offices.
This effort resulted in 3,856 disabled voters being officially registered in Sikkim’s voter list as of January 1, 2024. Anandan urged citizens to continue assisting in identifying eligible persons with disabilities, emphasizing their vital role in the democratic process.
Read More: Sikkim Witnesses Growth In Voter Numbers With Inclusion Of Transgender Voters