Sex workers, transgenders caste their votes

Scores of sex workers, transgenders and homeless living in Delhi today voted in the Delhi Assembly elections.
Nearly 1,500 sex workers living in G B road area had enrolled their names in the electoral roll and most of them exercised their franchise.
"I want to exercise my right as a citizen, that is why I have come out to vote," said a sex worker on condition of anonymity, adding that the number of people in this category enrolling as voters have increased.
Around 5,000 sex workers reside in the 116 brothels situated on G B Road.
"We have the right to elect our representative, who will work for our welfare, it is important, specially for us to vote," she said.

For the first time, Delhi Election Commission added about 8,000 homeless, 1,500 sex workers and 551 transgenders, under the 'others' category.
According to a government official in the area, there has been a steady rise in the number of sex workers enrolling as voters. From 300 who got enrolled ahead of the 2003 elections, the number went up to 1,200 in the 2008 elections.