Dasho Kunzang Wangdi:
“privilege of a lifetime” Neten Zangmo: “not a
witch-hunt” Ugyen Chhewang:
“enhancing professionalism” Granting an audience to the three officials this week His Majesty the King advised that they must serve the government and the people with the utmost dedication and loyalty, with complete transparency, without exercising distinction or discrimination, and without being influenced by those in positions of power and influence.

His Majesty said that the office of the Election Commission was imperative for the building of a strong foundation in the process of establishing democratic practices and norms. The Chief Election Commissioner would have to finalise the constituencies for the election of National Assembly members as well as the electoral rolls and election schedules and make full preparations for the general elections in 2008. This office would also conduct training and familiarisation for the people in the electoral process over the next two years.

His Majesty the King also noted that, with the rapid pace of economic development in Bhutan, there have been changes in the thinking of the people, with self interest leading to corrupt practices both in the government and the private sector. The Anti-Corruption Commission must, therefore, fulfill its responsibility of curbing and rooting out corruption through timely and effective checking on the use of public funds and resources. The Royal Audit Authority must conduct proper and timely audits of public funds utilised by the ministries, departments, corporations, and other organisations of the government to check the wastage and misuse of funds.

The government is also considering whether the independent Royal Civil Service Commission should be established now or after the introduction of a parliamentary democracy. With the identification of eminent members who are independent of the civil service, the commission would have an important role to play once a parliamentary democracy was introduced.

Speaking to Kuensel, Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, said that the historic assignment to organise the first nationwide election to form a democratic government was the privilege of a lifetime. “With the blessings of the guardian deities of the Palden Drukpa and the support and cooperation of all who love our King, I dedicate my services to make the election in 2008 a fair process and a highlight of my service to tsa-wa-sum,” he told Kuensel.

Ugyen Chhewang said that he was honoured by the confidence placed in him by the government. He said that the challenge was to keep up the good work of the RAA in promoting effective and efficient government auditing to enhance professionalism. It was also important to create awareness of government auditing and to promote auditing in the ICT environment, he said.

Expressing her commitment to the grave new responsibility, Neten Zangmo said that the approach of the Anti-Corruption Commission would not be to witch-hunt wrong-doers but to study and understand the causes of corruption in Bhutan and to find effective ways to prevent it and ensure a system of governance that would serve the interests of the nation and people as mandated by the Constitution of Bhutan.