Election: The election process for the by-elections in the North Thimphu constituency will begin in early October 2016, according to a notification issued yesterday by the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB).

The constituency’s former MP Kinga Tshering recently resigned to pursue further studies abroad. Kinga Tshering was a Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) MP in the 47-member House.

According to the ECB, the notification was issued upon receipt of a Royal Decree, and as per the provisions of the electoral laws. The Election Act prescribes that a by-election should be held within 90 days after the resignation of a member.

This is the second by-election held for a National Assembly constituency in Bhutan. The first by-election was held in the Nanong-Shumar constituency after the former DPT president Jigme Y Thinley resigned even before assuming office.

Two political parties – DPT and the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are yet to name their candidates for the by-election.

The constituency covers Kawang, Lingzhi, Naro and Soe gewogs.

The ECB stated that the Election Schedule will be guided by the legal provisions and the necessity to ensure that the by-election would not overlap with the on-going local government elections in the four gewogs. At the same time, the ECB will ensure that it would be possible for the constituency MP to be elected will attend the upcoming winter session of Parliament.

“It would provide the demkhong electorate, the political parties in Parliament who would nominate the candidates, and the aspirant candidates time to process and prepare for their participation in the by-elections,” the ECB notified.

MB Subba 

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