Jun 7, 2013
Five years ago, by this time, the 10th five-year development plan was all set and ready to be implemented.
Its two voluminous documents were out, detailing the overall theme of the plan, and specific development programmes at the national, district and gewog levels.
The 10th plan, the first development plan, to be implemented by the first democratically elected government, was touted as an ambitious one.
It’s outlay at Nu 140B was double that of the 9th plan, and [... Read More]
Jun 6, 2013
With the primary round of National Assembly election over, and people having almost run out of things to make of the results, it is now on to discussing candidates’ hop options.
Both political parties, Druk Phuensum Tshogpa and People’s Democratic party, which have made it to the general elections, are looking to replace, or rope in candidates from one of two new political parties, Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa.
Former National Council candidates have moved to seeking a seat [... Read More]
Jun 5, 2013
Political analysts point to several reasons why the two new parties did not make it through the primary round.
The parties themselves say there was just too limited campaigning time to let the electorate know of its existence, why they were formed and what they plan to do.
The parties were formed almost a year ago and appeared in the media many months before. They perhaps also had a few people on the ground in the interiors [... Read More]
Jun 4, 2013
Most of us urbanites were naïve to think our voters in the rural areas naïve, especially when it came to the choice of political parties or their candidates.
The first general election of 2008 proved that, it was proven a second time recently through the first primary election results, and we should respect the fact that people will apply the same wisdom in the upcoming general elections.
In most constituencies, where Druk Phuensum Tshogpa had won in [... Read More]
Jun 3, 2013
Even as the results of the primary round sink in, it is clear a lot of work lies ahead for the two parties that got through to contest the general election on July 13.
This is assuming that both parties want to form a government rather than be in opposition.
For the PDP, the possibility of forming the government is as close as it can get. With a clear win in 12 constituencies, it needs another 13 [... Read More]
Jun 1, 2013
Unlike the national council elections, held more than a month ago, the skies did not clear up to make for a more convenient primary round election held yesterday, the country’s first.
In fact, it continued to rain, causing landslides, washing away bridges and drenching voters.
Yet the electorate came out, more than the numbers that did for the council election, with their umbrellas and makeshift raincoats, some walking for hours, some risking life and limb, to choose [... Read More]
May 30, 2013
With the 48-hour black out period on, both the electorate and parties have time to take a well -deserved breather before the nation goes to polls on Friday in the primaries.
Most voters, by now, would have decided who they want to vote for, based on a number of factors, including the ones they came across during the past two weeks when parties reached out to them, made pledges and asked for their votes.
As always, there [... Read More]
May 29, 2013
The next two days of May 29 and 30 will be “election blackout” period, or 48 hours of inactivity for political parties, the media and the public.
In essence, it is a campaign silence, where the many days of campaigning the political parties and their candidates, including party workers have been engaged in, will cease.
The media will not carry any stories or images likely to influence voters, what is called the news blackout, will prevail.
Not that [... Read More]
May 28, 2013
With only three days left before the nation goes to polls in the primaries to choose two parties for the general round, the common feeling is that more people are likely to come out and vote this time.
The common forum for the party presidents was held yesterday, signalling that campaigning for the primary round is coming to an end, but the presidents are not resting.
They have one more day left of official campaigning period, before [... Read More]
May 27, 2013
Several months ago, the electorate had a different view on which parties are likely to form the government and opposition.
Today, with only four days to the country’s first every primary poll, which will choose two of the four parties contesting for the general round, the view has undergone quite a change.
Even as political pundits try and make their assessment on which political parties will make it through, it is becoming hard to say on what [... Read More]
