Shahida Begum becomes first transgender elected representative
She won by a huge margin of 2,740 votes
Shahida Begum Collected
Md Hedait Hossain Molla, Khulna
Publish : 13 Nov 2021, 10:34 PMUpdate : 13 Nov 2021, 10:34 PM
A member of the transgender community has been elected to office for the first time in the country during phase two of the Union Parishad elections.
Shahida Begum, 43, was elected as a member of Maguraghona Union Parishad-6 in Khulna district.
Shahida’s victory was announced on Thursday after she contested the reserved seat for women from wards four, five, and six under the union.
She won by a massive 2,740 vote margin competing against four female candidates with her Mic symbol.
Shahida, a resident of ward-6 of Dumuria upazila, has been living there for a long time after building her own house. Her father Abdur Razaque Morol is a resident of Dakkhin Chuknagar village.
After winning, an ecstatic Shahida vowed to change society’s perspective towards the transgender community.
“I contested the poll to ensure the rights of the people of our community, which I will try to do with my utmost effort,” she said.
She further said: "People elected me for this position even though our community is neglected in society. I’m indebted to all who voted for me.”
Shahida also thanked the only transgender voter in the three reserved wards, Moni Mukta, for her constant support. She also expressed her gratitude to another group from her community who came from different areas on the day of the election to show their support.
Moni Mukta said: “This is an achievement for our entire community, as people valued our efforts in the election campaign”.
When asked about future plans, Shahida said she wants to return the love she got from the people by doing notable work for the locals.
A guideline was approved in 2013 by the Cabinet Committee for granting transgenders state recognition.
In January, 2014, the government issued a gazette granting state recognition to the transgender community.
In 2019, the Election Commission decided to list the third gender as a gender identity in the voter list, alongside male and female.
Shahida Begum becomes first transgender elected representative
A member of the transgender community has been elected to office for the first time in the country during phase two of the Union Parishad elections.
Shahida Begum, 43, was elected as a member of Maguraghona Union Parishad-6 in Khulna district.
Shahida’s victory was announced on Thursday after she contested the reserved seat for women from wards four, five, and six under the union.
She won by a massive 2,740 vote margin competing against four female candidates with her Mic symbol.
Shahida, a resident of ward-6 of Dumuria upazila, has been living there for a long time after building her own house. Her father Abdur Razaque Morol is a resident of Dakkhin Chuknagar village.
After winning, an ecstatic Shahida vowed to change society’s perspective towards the transgender community.
“I contested the poll to ensure the rights of the people of our community, which I will try to do with my utmost effort,” she said.
She further said: "People elected me for this position even though our community is neglected in society. I’m indebted to all who voted for me.”
Shahida also thanked the only transgender voter in the three reserved wards, Moni Mukta, for her constant support. She also expressed her gratitude to another group from her community who came from different areas on the day of the election to show their support.
Moni Mukta said: “This is an achievement for our entire community, as people valued our efforts in the election campaign”.
When asked about future plans, Shahida said she wants to return the love she got from the people by doing notable work for the locals.
A guideline was approved in 2013 by the Cabinet Committee for granting transgenders state recognition.
In January, 2014, the government issued a gazette granting state recognition to the transgender community.
In 2019, the Election Commission decided to list the third gender as a gender identity in the voter list, alongside male and female.