DPT's retired Major Passang Thrinlee, 49, is from Sha Wachey village in Bena gewog, Wangduephodrang. He voluntarily resigned from the Army in 1986 but joined the Army again in 1990 to serve the country during the anti-national crisis. He has a Masters degree in Science from the university of Madras, India. He is married and has a daughter.

1. Your favourite proverb?

We cannot change time but time can change you.

2. Is democracy the best form of government?

Going as per the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution, if people exercise their franchise and keeping His Majesty's vision for a true democratic system set-up with candidates of people's choice then I agree that democracy will become the best form of government.

3. "Democracy encourages the majority to decide things about which the majority is ignorant." Comment.

It is true but the sensitive national interest should not be compromised.

4. Why should people vote for you?

People should vote for their choice of candidate who can represent their interest and honestly carry forward with sense of patriotism and dedication to represent them in the National Assembly forum and I am humbled that they bestowed their faith in nominating me as their candidate.

5. Are you into politics for the long haul or is it just a one-time attempt?

My joining into politics happened so suddenly like a dream. The awakening time has started and it looks I will actively participate in the affairs of the states on behalf of the people and a citizen of the country for quite sometime.

6. What are your chances of winning?

If people consciously from their heart, see the difference between right and wrong and the moral factors and values of DPT-then I am optimistic.

7. Are voters educated enough to make the right choice?

It looks like they are confused but hopefully with our endeavours and jointly with the ECB's relentless effort, at the end people will be able to make their free and fair choice in shaping their future destiny.

8. What are your priorities for the people of your constituency?

The developmental needs and well being of the people is my priority.

9. What do you think of your opponent?

He is a gentleman.

10. What is the biggest problem facing Bhutan today?

The aspiration of the people in regard to the developmental expectation have not reached every section of the society. There seems to exist a wide gap between rich and poor. The GNH has to seep into every section of the society to ensure all citizen lives happily without partiality.

11. Should Bhutan join the WTO?

Yes, especially being a landlocked country.

12. Who is your role model apart from the King?

The party president, who stands unique as a man of highest leadership qualities.

13. What was the last book you read?

Freedom in exile by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

14. Should Bhutan History be taught in Dzongkha?

Yes

15. What is the role of media in democracy?

All forms of media should be of quality, reliable and accountable to avoid misunderstanding and as a basis of facts findings.

16. Do you think it is possible for the election commission to check campaign spending?

At the rate things are taking shape, ECB will not be able to regulate check and balances given in the forms of soelra by the parties to the people.

PDP's Tandin Wangchuk, 41, is from Changkha village in Gase Tshowom gewog, Wangduephodrang. He worked with Gaseb construction as the project manager, general manager and in 2005, he resigned from the post of a chief executive officer. He was the chimi for Gase Tshogom and Daga gewog during the 87th session of the National Assembly. He has a Bacleors Degree in Commerce from Delhi University, India. He is married with three children.

1. Your favourite proverb?

"Range kuelwee kuelchang ngaruchuru thunggo"

2. Is democracy the best form of government?

I think looking at other countries in the world there is no perfect system of government. Of course there are models of system of democracy with their own advantages and disadvantages. However, all democracies are based upon and function on the same democratic ideals and principles. Democracy gives people the power and the choice to decide their own leaders, who in return responsibly govern the people and the nation well and also be accountable to the people (i.e. the voters) for their actions.

3. "Democracy encourages the majority to decide things about which the majority is ignorant." Comment.

Democracy is the system and government of the majority discussing issues and deciding policies for the majority. However, it should be the responsibility of a good democracy to take into account the issues that affect the citizens of the country.

4. Why should people vote for you?

Because I am proposing myself as their representative to advocate their needs and serve them. Having come from a rural background and having not lost touch with my roots I feel that people see me as one of their own who knows, understands and see their difficulties well and also know their dreams to live a good life.

5. Are you into politics for a long haul or is it just a one time attempt?

I joined politics with a vision and want to make a difference by contributing from my experience. So I will be in it for the long haul.

6. What are your chances of winning?

I'm quite optimistic.

7. Are voters educated enough to make the right choice?

If time allows, one more round of voter education would really help the voters.

8. What are your priorities for the people of your constituency?

My priorities to people of Wangdue are to get them out of poverty and provide them with road networks, improve education, medical and communication facilities.

9. What do you think of your opponent?

I don't know much about him.

10. What is the biggest problem facing Bhutan today?

Making the democratic process vibrant, poverty and unemployment.

11. Should Bhutan join WTO?

Free trade promotes economic growth, investment, increases consumer choices, create employment etc by promoting multilateral trade in goods and services which WTO tries. Bhutan is a small landlocked country situated with two biggest economies India and China at its either borders. Joining WTO would bring immense benefits to a small economy like ours.

12. Who is your role model apart from the king?

HRH Prince Namgyel Wangchuck

13. What was the last book you read?

Gesar of Ling

14. Should Bhutan History be taught in dzongkha?

The concerned authorities should first achieve an environment where Dzongkha language is simple, user friendly, effective and popular to use by people from all background and professions and especially the students. Since it is already decided things have to clear from the very beginning as who should be teaching history in Dzongkha and how, will it be Dzongkha teachers who are not professionally historians or historians who have no Dzongkha background? From this perspective I think it is quite early to implement this policy of teaching history in Dzongkha.

15. What is the role of media in democracy?

Understand democracy, to look and understand both sides of the coin and then inform the public unbiased and correct report and informations.

16. Do you think it is possible for the election commission to check campaign spending?

Election Commission on its own would be difficult because it have limited manpower and resources. However, it could use the assistance of RAA and ACC.