The Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) sent a circular to the electoral offices in the country and the Permanent Electoral Authority, containing a guideline developed by the Accept Association regarding the interaction with transgender people at the polls during the elections of June 9, 2024.
Gay parade. EPA PHOTO
The initiative comes as a result of the Accept Association's request and the appeal to the People's Advocate, with the aim of ensuring the full exercise of the right to vote of all Romanian citizens, including transgender people.
“The Accept Association believes that it is essential that all people, regardless of their gender identity, have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote freely and non-discriminatory” said Luiza Munteanu, President of the Accept Association.
What the guide looks like:
–Transgender people they have the right to vote with the name on their identity card, even if it differs from their gender identity.
– Computer operators, representatives of the Permanent Electoral Authority, members of electoral offices and all others involved in the electoral process have the obligation to address transgender people with respect, using the names and pronouns they want.
-In cases where there is uncertainty regarding the identity of a transgender person, they will be asked to present an identity document, and electoral operators will have to strictly respect the confidentiality of personal data.
-Transgender people facing discrimination or refusal to allow them to vote can report the incident to the Permanent Electoral Authority or file a police complaint.
Critics from AUR
Senator Claudiu Târziu, AUR candidate in the European Parliament elections, criticized, on Tuesday, the rules of good conduct that an NGO sent to the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP) regarding transgender people.
“We are witnessing something that we didn't think was possible, an NGO sends AEP rules of good conduct regarding transgender people, i.e. those who either believe themselves to be a different sex than the natural one they were born with, or have had a sex change operation (…) Today we are obliged to take into account someone who declares to be something other than what he is in reality and to treat him not only with due respect, but to amend the legislation, to amend the manner of reporting to that person, let's walk in the papers regarding the voting rights, is something of the night of the mind. All these things only reconfirm the fears we expressed years ago, when we were among the organizers of the referendum to define marriage as the union between a man born male and a woman born female“, claimed Târziu, at a press conference.
Târziu added that AUR supports the initiative of a civic group regarding the organization of a referendum to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman.
