Archive · 22 Nov 2025
Transwoman's Candidature Accepted in Kerala Panchayat Polls
In Kerala's panchayat elections, two transwomen - Amaya Prasad and Arunima M Kurup - faced challenges but had their candidatures accepted to contest in women-reserved wards.
Amaya, a Congress candidate, was initially told her nomination might be rejected, but the District Election Officer accepted it after scrutiny.
Both transwomen are officially recognized as female.
Amaya Prasad, a transwoman, is contesting as Congress-led UDF candidate in Pothencode ward
Her nomination was initially disputed due to ward being reserved for women
DEO accepted her nomination after scrutiny, ending uncertainty
Amaya is officially recognized as female under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019
Another transwoman, Arunima M Kurup, also had her candidature cleared in Alappuzha district
- Who
- Amaya Prasad and Arunima M Kurup
- What
- Contesting panchayat elections in Kerala
- When
- 2023 (exact date not specified)
- Where
- Kerala, India
- Why
- To represent their respective wards in the panchayat
Support for Transwoman Candidatures
Initial Doubts and Challenges
Recognition
Support for Transwoman Candidatures
Both Amaya and Arunima are officially recognized as female
Initial Doubts and Challenges
Initially, their nominations were disputed due to ward reservations for women
- Act
- Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019
- Amaya's Party
- Congress-led UDF
- Arunima's District
- Alappuzha
- Reserved Category
- Women