DPT's Karma Lhamo, 29, is from Tshakaling, Mongar. She used to be a teacher and did her B.A. in Psychology from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore in 2004. The mother of a 13-month-old daughter has a diploma as well in counselling.

1. Your lho (birth sign)?

Trel (Monkey).

2. Your favourite proverb?

They can conquer who believe they can.

3. Why should people vote for you?

I belong to a well principled party with a farsighted leadership and candidates of diverse backgrounds. I am an ordinary person representing ordinary people. I have strong connections with them and I have a strong inner urge to help my people and I am approachable.

4. Three things you recently discovered about Bhutanese voters?

Our rural voters are beginning to learn. A few voters are being misled by some over-enthusiastic party workers. Most voters are impatient to cast their secret ballot.

5. What are your chances of winning?

I'm quite confident of winning if all goes fair and square.

6. List the three priorities of the Mongarpas?

Roads and electricity, Better access to health and educational facilities, Lack of income generating opportunities and unbalanced development.

7. How would you address them?

Prioritize and implement the above issues through the developmental plans. Participate actively in parliament to address the above issues.

8. What do you think is the most important element to ensure Bhutan's smooth transition to a democracy?

Upholding the principles of democracy by being selfless and making people understand the significance of transparent and fair elections. Politicians must strive to serve the country selflessly and set positive examples. By developing a positive attitude towards democracy by all the citizens.

9. As a former teacher, what do you think should be done to improve the quality of education in Bhutan?

By including in the curriculum that which would equip students with skills and knowledge to meet the challenges of changing times, for example, incorporating ICT in the teaching-learning process, giving equal opportunity and priority to schools in remote corners. There is also a need to reduce the teacher-student ratio in schools.

10. If you become prime minister, what is the first thing you will do?

Uplift the socio-economic status of women. Bridge the gap between haves and have-nots.

11. Describe yourself in three words?

Humble, hardworking and honest.

12. "Finality is not the language of politics." Comment.

I would rather quote the above quotation as "Finality is the language of politics." because the goodwill or the seed in aspiring politicians like us, I believe, is going to have its fruition.

13. Why did you join the Druk Phunsum Tshogpa?

I had many opportunities to attend the talks given by the party president. In every talk, he never forgot to mention the status of women in Bhutan. His unfailing support for women was an inspiration for me to join DPT.

14. What do you do for leisure?

I read newspapers, watch the news on TV and attend to my family.

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

Je Khenpo H. H. Truelku Jigme Choeda and Jigme Y Thinley.

16. Is the Bhutanese media fulfilling its role as a watchdog?

Besides the fact that our Bhutanese media is at a premature stage and still a regulated body, media is trying to do its best but still has room for improvement by accepting constructive criticism.

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

ECB should continue educating the people on the process of democratization and political parties should join hands with ECB. Political parties and their workers should not breach election rules and regulations. Media should play a proactive role in the democratization process and give correct information. People should exercise full right to cast their secret ballot.

18. What has been your greatest achievement so far?

Becoming an independent woman. Now, thanks to the democratic ideologies of His Majesty the fourth Druk Gylapo, I can even raise the voice of suppressed women, enclosed inside the domestic walls of our country, as a woman representative in politics.

PDP's Dr Jigmi Singay, 56, the former health minister, is from Themnangbi village in Mongar. After 28 years of service in the health sector, Dr Jigmi Singay resigned this year to join politics. He was also Secretary to the royal civil service commission in 1998. He did his M.B.B.S. in Assam Medical College, India, and has a Master's in Public Health from San Diego State University, U.S.A.

1. Your lho (birth sign)?

Yoed.

2. Your favourite proverb?

Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, and faithfulness the best friendship.

3. Why should people vote for you?

They should vote for me if they believe that I can help change their lives for the better.

4. Three things you recently discovered about Bhutanese voters?

They are discerning, they are beginning to understand what is at stake, and I am confident that they will vote intelligently.

5. What are your chances of winning?

Good.

6. List the three priorities of the Mongarpas?

Roads, economic opportunities, including jobs, and electricity.

7. How would you address them?

Ensuring that the new government focusses on infrastructure development as a means to alleviate poverty and promote balanced economic growth. Besides agriculture, which is the mainstay of our people, Mongar has tremendous cultural wealth, which needs to be preserved and used to attract tourism.

8. What do you think is the most important element to ensure Bhutan's smooth transition to a democracy?

Electing good and capable representatives to parliament.

9. As the former health minister, what are some of the biggest problems confronting the health sector in Bhutan?

A scattered population, rising costs of serving a growing population with increasing expectations, and the need to enhance accessibility and quality of health services.

10. If you become prime minister, what is the first thing you will do?

Take immediate steps to ensure that no Bhutanese goes hungry or lacks other basic amenities.

11. Describe yourself in three words?

Pragmatic, committed and loyal.

12. "Finality is not the language of politics." Comment.

Politics is dynamic. In politics nothing is set in stone - change or progress are both possible and inevitable. I'm in no position to disagree.

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

The PDP has an excellent set of candidates who are professionals in diverse fields with years of work experience. It is also a party of action, which believes that well done is better than well said.

14. What do you do for leisure?

Read and spend time with friends and family.

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

My great-grand-uncle Geshe Sherub Dorji.

16. Is the Bhutanese media fulfilling its role as a watchdog?

Yes. Despite their inexperience with politics, they are performing their role as watchdog fairly well.

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

Judging by the huge success of our National Council elections, I have full confidence that ECB will ensure that our National Assembly elections will be equally successful. Apart from ECB, all of us must also assume the responsibility of ensuring that our elections are free and fair.

18. What has been your greatest achievement so far?

To have served my King and country for 28 years with total loyalty and dedication.