New Delhi’s dependable party has already been ousted in the primary round of polls in Bhutan. The future course of action will have to be more pragmatic in dealing with the new regime in Thimphu
-NJ Thakuria
Our neighbour and a trusted ally Bhutan is going for its third national (General) elections on October 18. Two political parties are on the fray for the new regime in Thimphu, but New Delhi’s dependable party has already been ousted in the primary round of polls. So, for the next course of time, it has to nurture a relationship with the leaders of one more political party in the Himalayan nation.
File photo of voters in Bhutan
The nascent democracy of south Asia had completed the primary round of elections on September 15, where the ruling party and also New Delhi’s trusted People’s Democratic Party (PDP) emerged a loser. It means the party of outgoing Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay will be no longer in the political battle on the final round.
Two political parties Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) and Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT), which had received the highest number of votes in the primary round, are now contesting for their shares in the National Assembly with altogether 47 seats. The fourth party, contested in the first round with an aim to get qualified for the final one, was Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party (BKP).
The Election Process
Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) allows any number of registered political parties to contest in the primary round of polls, but the final round is reserved only for two parties with the highest number of votes. Naturally, the winning party forms the government in Thimphu, where the other one plays the role of opposition in the National Assembly, which is considered as the lower house of Bhutanese Parliament.
Unlike Bharat, all poll candidates vying for Bhutan Assembly are necessary to be graduates that limits the choice as Bhutan has only 3000 graduates. The nominees have to attend poll campaign meetings in their respective constituency one by one. The arrangements help the electorate to understand the ability (at least oratory) and visions of their future political representatives.
The Land of the Thunder Dragon has 438,663 registered voters out of a population of 735,553. Besides electronic voting machines (EVM), the postal ballots were also used in the electoral process, where 66.36 per cent voters exercised their franchises. The outcome was better than that of last primary round participation (55.3 per cent in 2013).
Political observers in Thimphu believe that the Bhutanese people have given mandates for a change in the primary round. Tobgay also admitted that anti-incumbency played a major role against his party Relatively a newcomer, DNT emerged victorious in the primary poll receiving 31.8per cent of total votes cast. It was followed by DPT (30.9 per cent), which was in opposition during 2013-2018, and PDP (27.4 per cent) & BKP (9.7 per cent). DNT won in 16 constituencies and registered supports from 92,722 voters, whereas DPT succeeded in 22 constituencies, but could secure only 90,020 votes. They were followed by PDP (79,883 votes) and BKP (28,841 votes).
Present Development
This time, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck appointed Bhutan’s chief justice Tshering Wangchuk as the chief advisor to the interim administration. Other members include members namely Karma Ura (president of Centre for Bhutan Studies), Penjore (Governor of Royal Monetary Authority), Ugen Chewang (chairman of Druk Holding & Investments Ltd), Chhewang Rinzin (managing director of Druk Green Power Corporation Ltd), Karma Tshiteem (chairperson of Royal Civil Service Commission), Kinley Yangzom (chairperson of Anti-Corruption Commission), Nidup Dorji (vice-chancellor of Royal University of Bhutan) and Bachu Phub Dorji (managing director of Kuensel Corporation Ltd).
Earlier Bhutan completed the elections to National Council, which is considered as the upper house of Parliament, on April 20, 2018. The NC has 20 elected members from 20 Dzongkhags. Five members are nominated by the monarch. The NC polls are conducted on a non-party basis, and the last exercise witnessed the polling percentage of 54.3. The Buddhist nation, sandwiched between Bharat and Tibet (now under China), was ruled by various dynasties for centuries. However, Jigme Singye Wangchuk proposed for transforming Bhutan into a democratic constitutional monarchy. The Druk democracy witnessed the first-ever elections in March 2008 and before that Oxford-educated prince Jigme Khesar was crowned as the ceremonial Head of the State.
The first general elections were won by Jigmi Y Thinley led DPT, and he became the first democratically elected Prime Minister of Bhutan. The next national polls in July 2013 witnessed the victory for PDP, following which its leader Tshering Tobgay became the new Premier. A dependable pro-India politician Tobgay resigned along with his council of ministers on 9 August to pave the way for an interim administration.
Political observers in Thimphu believe that the Bhutanese people have given mandates for a change in the primary round. Tobgay also admitted that anti-incumbency played a major role against his party.
On the other hand, DNT president Dr Lotay Tshering expressed his gratitude to the electorate of Bhutan for their victory in the primary round. A practising doctor turned politician emphasised on affordable healthcare facilities to every Bhutanese. The political inclination of DNT towards New Delhi or Beijing is yet to be revealed. Meanwhile, Pema Gyamtsho, who took charge of DPT from Beijing favourite Thinley, thanked the people of Bhutan for their continued support and assured that they would not replace any candidate with others (read PDP nominee) in the final round. Gyamtsho disclosed that all existing 47 party candidates were advised to file their nominations to the returning officers.
The electoral promises of all political parties remain the same since 2008 revolving around the development of schools, hospitals, roads, electricity, drinking water, cell phone services, tourism and tax reform etc.
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