Bhutan’s election authorities today successfully completed the process to elect a new Parliament after the country’s second national polls saw the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) storm to power. Bhutan Election Commission (BEC) formally submitted the list of 47 winners of the country’s second national elections to King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, culminating the first stage of the democratic process in the Himalayan nation in which Tshering Tobgay-led PDP secured a two-thirds majority. On Saturday, the PDP won the national elections with a massive mandate and captured 32 seats. The country’s new opposition party Druk Phuensum Tshogpa will have 15 members in the House. The peaceful elections were marked by a heavy voter turnout of 80%. This is the second national polls in Bhutan after the country became a democracy in 2008 before which it was a monarchy.
Chief Election Commissioner Kunzang Wangdi said the results for yesterday’s nationals election was formally declared today and the list was ceremonially given to the King.
“We will issue certificates to the 47 winning candidates on July 19,” he said.
However, formation of a new government will take some time as there is a “petition period” of 10 days beginning today.
During the period, any aggrieved candidate or party may lodge a complaint before the BEC over the election results and the poll panel will analyse the complaint and give its ruling.
“So, new government will assume charge only when the petition period will be over,” BEC chief election officer Phub Dorji said.
Full Article: Bhutan’s Election Commission completes polls process, hands over MP list to King – World – DNA.
