BETTIAH/PATNA, Oct. 27 -- "Tumne mardon ki dekhi sarkar... tumne auraton par ki etbaar... ab hame bhi dekh lo..." (You've seen men rule, trusted women, now give us a chance), hums Maya Devi, 50, a transgender candidate, as she moves door-to-door in Bihar's Narkatiaganj, seeking votes by tweaking a borrowed line from the number of a Bollywood flick 'Hafta Vasuli'. Maya, contesting as an Independent candidates from West Champaran, is among two transgender candidates in the fray for the two-phase Bihar Assembly elections on November 6 and 11. The other, Priti Kinar, 50, a social activist, is contesting from Bhorey in Gopalganj on a Jan Suraaj Party ticket. For Priti, identity itself is a political statement. "I didn't try to change my name or gender because my existence cannot depend on a piece of paper. I am what I am," she says. Though she drapes a sari, her voter ID still lists her as male. That gap between legal identity and lived reality is a story shared by thousands in Bihar's transgender (TG) community. Despite months of effort during the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls between June 24 and September 30, many TGs failed to have their names or genders updated. "Nearly 600 TGs, sensitised and mobilised through Dostana Safar, a not-for-profit organisation for welfare of TGs, reached out to booth-level officers (BLOs) with complete documents, but no change was reflected in the final rolls," says Anupriya Singh of the Bihar Rajya Kinnar Kalyan Board. "Even with correct Aadhaar and PAN details, we are forced to vote under our 'dead names' practically as bogus voters." Activists blame it on ignorance and indifference. "Officials either don't understand the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, or they don't care because we're not a votebank," Singh says. "Imagine turning up to vote in a sari while your elector photo identity card (EPIC) identifies you as male - and the snide looks that follow." Even those who hold valid district magistrate-issued transgender certificates, like Subodh (now Priya) and Golu (now Sheetal), all names changed, couldn't get their details updated. Their BLOs admit the lapse, citing "technical issues" or lack of clarity at higher levels. They, however, assure to fix it after the elections. Despite these challenges, candidates like Maya and Priti see their campaigns as both political and symbolic. "We are aware of the struggles our people face - from getting TG certificates to being acknowledged by the system," says Priti. "If elected, we'll fight to change that." Unfazed by facing JD(U) heavyweight and education minister Sunil Kumar, Priti says he's heartened by local support after campaigning across Lakshmipur, Lakthaha, Kakurabhuka, Dubeypatti, and Semraunauna villages. Maya, too, draws strength from faith and community service. "After leaving singing and dancing, I've held five 'ashyam poojas' and helped many find peace, love, and health. The people of Narkatiaganj know my blessings work," she smiles. According to the Election Commission, 1,725 transgender voters are registered in Bihar. Over the past two decades, only five transgender candidates have contested assembly elections in the state - but this year's duo is determined to make their mark. "Politics has long ignored us," says Maya. "This time, we're not just voting - we're standing."...