Delhi's sex workers keep up their date with democracy

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Delhi's sex workers keep up their date with democracy

PTI: NEW DELHI: They may have been ostracised by the society but sex

workers from Delhi turned out in substantial numbers to keep up their

date with democracy as the Capital went for Lok Sabha polls on Monday.

With their faces covered, sex workers of G B Road, Delhi's largest

red light area, reached polling stations in small groups to exercise

their franchise.

The four polling booths of the area recorded a turnout of nearly 50

per cent, a figure which is better than the areas which had educated

middle class voters.

While many shied away from the mediapersons, particularly the

camerapersons who wanted to take their photographs, some of them

shared their views they had with the journalists on participating in

the democratic exercise.

" There is acute shortage of water in our area. Power cuts are

frequent, drainages are uncovered and roads are dirty, " said Sonali

(name changed) after casting her vote along with four other girls who

complained of rising prices of essential commodities and cosmetics.

" Our area is neglected by almost everyone. Casting vote is the only

way we can express our anger and wish our mundane desires to be

fulfilled, " added Sherry (name changed).

Apparently respecting the sex workers' choice of participating in the

democratic exercise, the presiding officer of a polling booth

dissuaded press photographers from taking their pictures.

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