Voting begins in Bhutan's first general election

Monday 24th March, 12:39 PM JST

THIMPHU —

People in Bhutan began casting ballots Monday in the first-ever general election, which is part of the process of democracy in the landlocked Himalayan kingdom. Of a population of 630,000, there are 318,465 eligible voters, excluding members of the Bhutanese royal family and Buddhist monks who are being left off the electoral rolls to ensure their independence.

Election commissioners have set up 865 polling stations and more than 180 electronic voting machines are available. Although the draft constitution supports a multiparty system, only two political parties are qualified for the election to the 47 constituencies of the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament. The two parties are the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led by Sangay Ngedup close to the royal family, and the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT), or Bhutan Unity Party, led by a former prime minister.

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2 Comments

rajakumar at 09:10 PM JST - 24th March

Way to go Bhutan,elections makes country better for all in all ways.
tako10 at 01:49 AM JST - 25th March

In case anyone need a proof that Buddhists are capable of self government, this is one of many.