Transgender named presiding officer in Bihar elections

For the first time in Bihar, a transgender - Monika Das - has been appointed as the presiding officer. She will be posted at a polling station in Patna which will vote on November 3.

Patna: In a first, the Election Commission has appointed a 32-year-old transgender - Monika Das - for the post of Presiding Officer at a polling station in Bihar. A banker with Canara Bank, Das would preside over a polling booth in one of the constituencies in Patna which will vote on November 3. She is a resident of Patna.

Das will be given training for handling polling booths and dealing with COVID-19 challenges on October 8. The training session is scheduled to be conducted by the Election Commission officials at Gardanibagh in Patna.

This is the first time that a transgender has been appointed as a presiding officer for the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections. Erstwhile, Riya Sarkar, a school teacher was selected as a polling officer for the West Bengal Assembly elections.

Expressing happiness, Das said that it is a big honour for her and the entire transgender community. She also said that she would comply with all the rules and regulations from the ballot officers and will discharge her duties in a responsible manner.

Election Commission has announced the dates of voting. The first phase of voting is to be held on October 28, the second phase on 3 November and the last and third phase on November 7. Votes will be counted on November 10.

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