His Royal Highness speaking to Zhemgang students at the consultation meeting

“At the Constitution meetings I have found that people are grateful to His Majesty for the profound changes he has initiated over three decades, culminating in the Constitution and democracy, but they are deeply unsure about their own ability to implement it and of the future without His Majesty's guidance.”

His Royal Highness said that he saw the resistance to the devolution of powers as a true indicator of the success of His Majesty's reign in bringing peace and prosperity.

Their worry was the first sign that people were aware of the weight of their responsibilities and were prepared to make the effort. Bhutan by its very geography, size, culture and traditions had a naturally cohesive society with common values and shared objectives. “If you can utilise these attributes democracy, like participatory governance in the past, will come easily to the Bhutanese,” said His Royal Highness. “I am confident of that.”

The people of Zhemgang suggested that the Constitution should contain safeguards against the deterioration of the environment, Bhutan's spiritual heritage, and to protect the nation from possible future political turmoil. They submitted to the meeting that Monarchy must be able to resume full authority in times of political crisis.

His Royal Highness said that the Druk Gyalpo had devolved power to the people with full confidence. This meant that there was no provision for the Monarch to assume full authority to rule the country.

The Constitution had made provision for the dissolution of an ineffective or failed government or parliament and, in such a crisis, for the institution of an interim government, a unique clause that had been commanded by His Majesty.

His Royal Highness emphasised the importance of culture and traditions and spiritual heritage, aspects of Bhutanese life that would evolve with time. Different generations of Bhutanese must decide for themselves what aspects of culture and traditions should be given importance.

“What is significant and unique is that, as a nation, we have decided that tradition and culture play such a central role in our lives and that they must be included in the Constitution,” said His Royal Highness. “How and what should be protected is up to the people to decide with the changing times.”

A former chimi submitted that, while considering the membership to the National Assembly from each dzongkhag the demography, population patterns, and the terrain should be taken into consideration and that it should be reflected in the Constitution.

In response the Chief Justice informed the people that the population, terrain, and scattered villages would be considered when demarcating constituencies. He explained that these details would be reflected in the Election Act.

His Royal Highness reminded the meeting that an Election Commissioner had been appointed and, once the act was adopted, the commission would travel to every dzongkhag, gewog, and thromdey.

As in other dzongkhags His Royal Highness reiterated the gravity of the responsibility placed on the Bhutanese people in the new political system. They would have to choose the right leaders who would best serve the interest of the country and work to fulfill the aspirations of the people. “When His Majesty devolves power to people, we should handover the power to somebody who can benefit the people, who can make use of the power for the interest of the people,” His Royal Highness said. “Therefore, it is the duty of the people to differentiate good from bad candidates because no politician will say that they will do you wrong. If we have voted for the right people and party then we need not worry.”

His Royal Highness said that the sooner the people understood and accepted their responsibilities with confidence and, more importantly, with honest commitment, the smoother the transition would be. “To speak loosely of possible political problems, of corruption, of weak government and ineffective politicians is to participate in gossip and idle talk. The right way would be to discuss the same important issues with a view to finding solutions and safeguards and, crucially, to make the individual commitment and sacrifices necessary.”

“Personally I can never see myself as having a future that is not tied to the achievement and success of Bhutan, not because I am a Crown Prince but because I am a citizen of Bhutan,” said His Royal Highness. “This is where I live and work and where my children will learn and grow.”

His Royal Highness pointed out that the peace and prosperity of the country had a direct bearing on the well being and happiness of all Bhutanese citizens. “To have personal ambitions and desires without a sense of where you stand and what your responsibilities are in the context of the stability and progress of the whole nation is unwise, indefensible, and, in the long run, detrimental to the future of oneself and of the nation.”

After the discussions on the draft Constitution His Royal Highness reiterated the importance of the youth. He said that the future of Bhutan depended on the capability of today's youth. “It is, therefore, important to give thought to your hopes and aspirations for the future even when you are still in school.”

His Royal Highness discussed a range of issues that the youth raised. These included freedom of religion as a fundamental right, resolution of conflicts between the ruling and opposition parties, the minimum age limit for candidates running for elected office, population control, and employment.”

With all 34 Articles read out and explained students who attended the meeting said that many of their doubts had been clarified by His Royal Highness. For Kinzang Dorji, a Class XII graduate who had walked three days from his village in Thrisha, there could not be a more exciting time in the history of Bhutan. “We are going to have a new King, a new government, and a young generation,” he said. “Democracy might take time to be established but, with an educated population growing up, the outlook is good.”

To 20-year-old Sherub Lhamo, a farmer from remote Bjokha, the Constitution was not important. “I will vote for any government which will connect my village with a road, electricity and all other facilities like other places,” she said.

Village elders like 56-year old Sangay of Trong gewog were still emotional about His Majesty's resignation in 2008. “It is ironic that one Section that is discussed most cannot be changed,” he said, referring to the Druk Gyalpo being required to step down at 65 years.

“I cannot understand why the monarchy, which is the most stable and dependable institution, is transferring all powers to politicians. I think our constitution is unique and so we should have a unique role for the King to play, unlike the Constitutions of other countries.”

An 18-year-old Yebilabtsa student said that the Constitution should be included in the school curriculum as soon as possible to educate the youth on the historic changes. “The Crown Prince puts so much faith in us so it is important for the youth to understand it to participate,” she said.

“Democracy is coming despite the people's resistance,” said a student of Zhemgang high school describing himself as a future citizen. “It is therefore better to prepare for the change than to regret it later.”