LG: The number of aspiring local leaders is expected to increase sharply. A total of 3,110 probable candidates passed the functional literacy and possession of skills test (FLT) that was conducted on April 30.

The Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) declared the results for 205 gewogs and 17 dzongkhag thromdes on May 20.

According to the ECB, a total of 5,041 had registered for the FLT, but only 3,513 actually appeared for the test. Of the successful candidates, 928 are female and 2,182 are male.

Applications for re-evaluation can be made to the respective dzongkhag electoral officer or directly to the chief election officer at the head office in Thimphu before 5pm of May 30.

“Eligible candidates who are interested to contest the election in the second phase of second local government elections are again being reminded to process the documents required for filing of the nomination papers as per the prescribed forms,” stated the notification.

The FLT questions were related to the responsibilities, power, authority and duties of midhey gothrips. The question papers covered computational, analytical, managerial and correspondence skills.

Weightage for the written test and the viva were 60 and 40 percent respectively.

Lack of candidates with FLT certificates has been one of the main problems facing local government elections. However, with the ECB announcing the test results, the number of eligible candidates will increase.

To make it easily accessible to the people, FLT centres were taken to gewogs. Candidates from dzongkhag thromdes sat for the test at the dzongkhag election offices.

Meanwhile, the ECB is leaving no stone unturned to make the second LG elections a success. Election officials are trying to reach every nook and corner of the country to spread the message of adult franchise.

Voters within 25 to 65 years of age are being encouraged to partake in the elections as candidates, for which it is a must to pass the FLT.

MB Subba