Kesang Dema
Kuensel Online
May 31, 2013
By the end of the day, Bhutan will be left with two political parties fighting for 47 seats in the National Assembly, following the first-ever primary poll today.
Four political parties, Druk Chirwang Tshogpa, Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa, Druk Phuensum Tshogpa and People’s Democratic Party are contesting the elections.
Initially, five political parties had come forward expressing interest to contest the primaries, but Bhutan Kuen-nyam Party was disqualified for being unable to fulfill the election commission criteria.
A total of 381,790 registered voters have been listed to vote for the election, of which more than 50,000 voters were accepted to vote by post.
“Of the four political parties, the two receiving the highest and second highest votes polled in the 20 dzongkhags will be declared eligible to contest the general elections,” chief election commissioner Dasho Kunzang Wangdi said.
He said, for the primary round, instead of constituency-wise in general elections, and dzongkhag-wise for National Council, it will be the total votes in favour of a party across the nation that would be the basis for determining the final results.
Which is why, of the dzongkhags, Samtse and Trashigang, followed by Mongar, Sarpang and Pemagatshel, could play a crucial part since they have the major chunk of voters. Just these five dzongkhags make up almost 43 percent of the total voters.
Like for other elections, even for the primary, the counting of election results will take place on the same day.
“In keeping with our standard practice, the counting of votes for the primary round will be done immediately after the close of polls,” he said.
As soon as the polling hour closes, which is 5pm, the polling stations will function as counting centres.
Dasho Kunzang Wangdi explained the results from each polling station would be delivered to constituency counting centre, relayed by phone, fax or email to respective returning officer. v“Thereafter, the results will be relayed to the national election results centre in Thimphu, for which detailed arrangements and procedures have been put in place,” he said.
Dasho Kunzang Wangdi said a communication plan was in place to ensure that the counting centres were well provided for successful counting and onward relaying of results.
The RBP and RBA VHF communication system is being used at polling stations where there is no telecommunication facility.
Dasho Kunzang Wangdi urged the voters to come out and vote at the primary round, as it was crucial for success of democracy.
“Vote for the parties you believe in and would be able to take Bhutan to greater heights,” he said.
He said, no matter what the odds were, he was optimistic voters would come out in large numbers to vote, and “give Bhutan not only a resounding turnout, but also a viable option for a better future for all”.
“We expect the turnout will be excellent, after all, Bhutanese voters have made a solemn pledge to His Majesty during the 2012 National Day celebration that they would vote in the second parliamentary elections 2013,” he said.
The National Council election held last month saw 45.16 percent of registered voters taking part. During the first assembly elections, which saw only the general round, almost 80 percent of the registered voters had voted.
Meanwhile, besides the formal declaration of results, the candidates of the two parties that are through to the general elections will start filing of nominations starting tomorrow.
