The new government-elect, the Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa, will scrutinize the competence of its ministerial candidates and ensure that they maintain a regionally balanced Cabinet.

DNT president Lotay Tshering, at a press conference yesterday, said there will not be any issues on deciding the ministerial candidates as some good candidates from the party had won from the eastern dzongkhags. “You can see the combination of the winning 30 candidates, we’re a comfortable team by any standards, both by number or capacity,” Lotay Tshering said.

The party is expected to meet and decide on the candidates after all the candidates return to Thimphu today.

One of the founding members of the party, Tandi Dorji said that DNT would hold an election for the president of the party. “The party charter does not allow one person to be both prime minister and the president of the party.” 

Party’s function and government functions would not be mixed.

Tandi Dorji said that the party members would pick up messages from the grassroots and convey them to the government.

“We also intend to work closely with all the other parties to close this divisive politics that has been happening for the past two elections,” he said.

Lotay Tshering said that his party does not differentiate between male and female participation in politics. “We’re not in favour of booking quota for women,” he said.

He said that it is difficult to find capable and interested women candidates to participate in politics. “People voted for the women candidates not because they were women but because they were capable.”

North-Thimphu MP elect Dechen Wangmo said that building the capacity is more important than the gender aspects.

“Going forward, we want to create an enabling environment for women to come forward whether it is in legislation or policy environment.” She said there is more women participation this election, which goes to show that given the platform, women will come forward.

“I wouldn’t like to vote for a person because she is woman but the individual’s competence,” Lotay Tshering said.

DNT’s five women candidates all won this election.

Compared to the earlier elections, this election has been the fairest of them all, DNT representatives said. Lotay Tshering said that the first and foremost thing is to bring stakeholders from other parties and experts to chart the country’s vision 2045.

DNT would not only prioritise the party’s pledges, but will also consider the best pledges of other parties too.  Lotay Tshering said that for Bhutan the foreign relations remain stable. “We’re open on that,” he said.

 On foreign policies, Lotay Tshering said that no political parties can take an individual stand on foreign policy. “If it changes every five years then we can never progress,” Lotay Tshering said. “DNT will be guided by the vision of His Majesty the Kings.”

Economic progress will be the primary focus but development must be sustainable, he said.  “Once we begin working we would like to work together with all stakeholders.” He said that the government will give adequate opportunities and ideas but the media must take them with responsibility.

“You cannot abuse your rights,” he said.

“We thank ECB, all stakeholders, for a free and fair election observed and successful conduct of the election.”

“Guided by the visions of His Majesty, DNT looks forward to working together with the people of Bhutan so that we fulfill the dreams and aspirations of Bhutan for all times to come.”

Tshering Palden