ISLAMABAD: Addressing concerns of the transgender community over lack of a separate gender section in nomination forms, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday asked transgender persons, who intend to contest coming general elections, to write the letter “C” in their nomination papers to show their gender.

The transgender community will not be left out of the electoral process, the commission said in a statement.

It said transgender persons aspiring to run in the 2018 elections should write the letter ‘C’ in nomination forms to show their gender, adding that returning officers have also been issued directives in this regard.

Besides, the ECP said the gender of transgender persons can also be ascertained with help of their identity cards.

The transgender community has time and again voiced concern over the absence of a separate gender column in the nomination forms issued by the ECP, saying the omission on its part is aimed to deprive them of their right to take part in elections.

Following passage of transgenders’ rights’ bill from the Parliament, transgender persons will now be able to exercise their rights without any fear of marginalization.