DPT's Minjur Dorji, 47, is from Shingkhar, Bumthang, but got his census transferred to Rangshikhar, Samkhar, Trashigang. He served as a dzongda in Trashigang and Mongar after working for 18 years in the Royal Audit Authority.

1. Your lho (birth sign)?

Tae (monkey).

2. Your favourite proverb?

It's a Tibetan saying: Negative action has one good quality. It can be purified.

3. Why should people vote for you?

Because they know how I function as an administrator, being with people, knowing them and working for them. I have also served the two largest dzongkhags and never failed to fulfill the assignments for people.

4. Three things you recently discovered about Bhutanese voters?

I may be able to tell you the experiences and lessons I have learnt after serving for as a politician for a while. At the moment, I don't think I am a politician.

5. What are your chances of winning?

Considering the present scenario, people from my constituency and also from other gewogs compelled me to join, so I see good chances for myself.

6. What according to you is the most pressing issue in Bhutan today?

First is to keep politics clean and become an example for the rest of the world. Second pressing issue is to give more financial responsibilities to local government and lastly to improve the quality of education.

7. How would you address them?

In the first case, we have to have politicians with a certain degree of qualifications. For the second, it's necessary to build financial infrastructures at the local level, and finally, it's important to get the best teachers with remunerations, which are attractive.

8. How much do the people in your constituency know about voting and elections?

Voting and electing leaders is not new to them because, since the crowning of the Fourth King, system of electing their local leaders had been initiated. And for almost a year now, government has spent enough trying to acclimatize people with the democratic system.

9. What happens if you win and your party loses?

I will still be a member of parliament and actively participate in the highest decision making body.

10. Given a chance, which ministry would you like to head?

Choice should be left to the party. It will entirely depend on the party's decision-making committee.

11. Describe your opponent in three words?

I heard his name but haven't met him yet. But I know his family well.

12. "A week is a long time in politics." Comment.

In your entire life, politics have been playing an important role without you noticing it. For me it's a challenge, a learning process to work for society and serve the government. And it is a long process.

13. Why did you join Druk Puensum Tshokpa ?

It was not my choice but that of the people from my constituency.

14. The last book you read?

Five thousand, four hundred and fifty three names of the Lord Buddha and Small is Beautiful.

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

Late Lyonpo Tamzhing Jagar, who was selfless and served the Tsa-Wa-Sum.

16. What is the drawback of media in Bhutan today?

I don't think there's any drawback. It's growing fast and vibrant and dynamic and should continue doing so. In the new system it should play a constructive role.

17. What should be done to ensure that elections are free and fair?

Besides educating everybody, the observers identified by the election commission have to play an important role. There should be more of them with certain mandate and authority to take action on the spot and report to the commission.

PDP's Jigme Singye is 35 years old and married with 2 children. He has a Doctorate in Engineering from Toyama University, Japan, and was working there as a Research Professor before returning to Bhutan to join politics. He did his BSc in engineering from the University of Kansas, USA.

1. Your lho (birth sign)?

Pha (boar).

2. Your favourite proverb?

Salvation lies within.

3. Why should people vote for you?

For two reasons:
a) I belong to a political party which comprises a strong and diverse team of people, proven in their respective professions, now bound by a common cause: to make a difference in the lives of our citizens. Importantly, it is led by a leader who walks the talk and delivers.
b) I am a proven hard worker who despite my limitations and deficiencies, have accomplished fairly well in my life. This same spirit, drive and focus will help me surmount the challenges and difficulties that I will face as a politician.

4. Three lessons you have learnt since you joined politics?

a) That I don't regret leaving a promising research professorship in Japan and joining politics, although some of the vicious, baseless allegations being hurled about makes me wonder if we truly deserve democracy or perhaps it's a little early.
b) That Bhutanese are master gossippers and fact-distorters, and that if the same brilliance and energy are channelled productively, Bhutan can achieve miracles in a short period of time.
c) And, that there's lot of hard work cut out for me as an aspiring politician.

5. What are your chances of winning?

Very good.

6. What according to you is the most pressing issue in Bhutan today?

Socio-economic developments in Bhutan need to be far reaching, balanced and uniform, where every citizen of Bhutan is a true and genuine beneficiary.

7. How would you address them?

By ensuring that every district gets equal priority in development activities, especially infrastructure and capacity development, while aggressively exploiting the economic potential unique to each district in a justifiable and sustainable manner.

8. How much do the people in your constituency know about voting and elections?

As of now, very little, but they're getting better.

9. What happens if you win and your party loses?

I will still represent the interests, aspirations, and dreams of the people of my constituency by engaging in constructive debate and providing alternative policy positions to the ruling government.

10. Given a chance, which ministry would you like to head?

Any ministry that has to do with youth and rural development.

11. Describe your opponent in three words?

I respect him.

12. "A week is a long time in politics"... Comment.

Indeed, within a very short span of time political fortunes can be made or broken.

13. Why did you join People's Democratic Party?

As an academic, deciding to join politics was difficult, but having once made up my mind, choosing which party to join was a no-brainer.

14. The last book you read?

The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari, by Robin Sharma.

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

I don't have to look far or into past to find an ideal role model. It is right here at our doorstep: rural folk of Bhutan, who, despite their surroundings and hardship, still find meaning and ability to carry on with their lives stoically.

16. What is the drawback of media in Bhutan today?

I think they are doing fairly well, given its infancy.

17. What should be done to ensure that elections are free and fair?

Every citizen of Bhutan should take active interest in politics, and know what their rights are.