DPT's Major (Retired) Hemant Gurung, 49, is from Norbuzinkha village in Tshendagang gweog, Dagana. He spent 23 years in the Royal Bhutan Police. He has a Bachelors degree in Arts from Jawaharlal Nehru University in India. He is married.

1. Your favourite proverb?

"The highest virtue of men and the party is humility"

3. "Democracy is moral before it is political." ... Comment.

Yes, democracy is moral and the entire human race wants to go democratic but its virtue depends on the kind of political development and the leadership.

4. Why should people vote for you?

All the people in my constituency know me and trust me, and my party has strong and reliable leadership.

5. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

Living in a peaceful unique democratic nation.

6. Why did you join politics?

I want to serve the people in a broader way to fulfill the vision of His Majesty the King.

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

Political development in Bhutan is in initial stage and I have given quite a thought on it.

8. What are your chances of winning?

I am confident of whatever I do. All my coordinators and supporters are trust worthy and influential people with high moral values. 9. Are voters educated enough to make the right choices?

During the familiarization tour, I came to understand that the people are capable enough to differntiate between right and wrong and make an appropriate choice.

10. What are your priorities for the Dagaps?

People have constraints on census regularization and security clearance followed by developmental activities and education opportunities. 11. What do you think of your opponent?

My opponent is very capable like me and I wish him success.

 12. What is the biggest problem facing Bhutan today?

A unique nation like ours, which enjoyed peace and harmony, is undergoing rapid transition which is al ways difficult.

13. Should Bhutan join the WTO?

Why not?

14. What was the last book you read?

The end and the beginning of Mahatma Gandhi.

15. Should Bhutan History be taught in Dzongkha?

Language is best used for the communication and under standing by the people so the subject can be taught accordingly.

16. What is the role of media in democracy?

The media should provide timely and correct information to the public to further their knowledge.

17. What do you understand by free and fair elections?

The election commission should ensure fair and square support to all political parties without bias.

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

It is the responsibility of election commission and I will support the commission in whatever way possible.

19. What is your opening line when you meet voters in your constituency?

"Kuzuzangpo" and say Bhutan is changing.

PDP's Ngeema Sangay Tshempo, 43 is from Majigau village in Lhamoizingkha gewog, Dagana. He holds a Bachelors degree in Arts from Sherubtse College in Kanglung. He served 17 years in the Ministry of Education and 15 years as the sessional Interpreter in the National Assembly. The author of the book " A Glimpse of Bhutanese Culture", Ngeema S. Tshempo is married and has two daughters and a son.

1. Your favourite proverb?

Charity begins at home

2. "Democracy is moral before it is political" ... Comment.

The democratic principles have a lot of moral and ethical prescriptions based on which democracy is founded but depending upon the personality cult of the leadership, it becomes political.

3. Why should people vote for me?

I have returned to my roots where my ancestors have lived and have created local anecdotes despite the fact that I grew up in a urbanite setting. Above all I love my folks and I will serve them...

4. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I prefer to serve the people of Bhutan through social work and also devote my time with prayer and meditation on a hilltop monastery in Dagapela.

5. Why did you join politics?

It is my destiny. I started my life as a sessional interpreter in the National Assembly and subsequently as a secretary in UNESCO, where I gained a lot of confidence at the very onset of parliamentary democracy in Bhutan.

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

Politics. This will be my heartthrob till democracy attains maturity in Bhutan and we can hand it over to posterity.

7. What are your chances of winning?

It will be known on March 25 how much my people love me!

8. Are voters educated enough to make the right choices?

During the National Council elections people made the right choices by voting for the best available contestants.

9. What are your priorities for Dagaps?

Road transport and bridges are of prime need to connect the scattered settlements. Electricity, solar lighting, telephone services, drinking water, schools and health facilities are others.

10. What do you think of your opponent?

As a fellow Bhutanese and I wish him all the success he deserves.

11. What is the biggest problem Bhutan is facing today?

Bhutan today has problems of coping with changing political climate, changing attitudes of the people with changing times of our contemporary history.

12. Should Bhutan join WTO?

I have reservations on this and no further comments

13. What was the last book you read?

Creative Leadership-the People Oriented Task Approach

14. Should Bhutan history be taught in Dzongkha?

Although Dzongkha language is a very ancient language but due to lack of research and development for centuries it is still in its infancy and advanced history may be difficult to teach in Dzongkha for the time being.

15. What is the role of media in democracy?

As a " second state" media has a crucial role in shaping public opinion particularly on an issue that is by definition so secret and clandestine. Media should detect and publicize episodes of public concern but should not dramatize for the sake of drawing media attention which leads to democracy and violence.

16. What do you understand by free and fair election?

People should be able to exercise their franchise without intimidation in a well illuminated room with eye glasses if someone has problem of vision without it.

17. Do you think it is possible for election Commission to check campaign spending?

If ECB makes pre-meditated maneuvers, it can.

18. What is your opening line when you meet voters in your constituency?

All my opening lines are exhausted by now. I just smile, shake hands and pass my speechless message "Vote for me".