DPT's Cheki Wangmo, 26, is from Thrimshing. One of the youngest candidates to join DPT, she graduated from the Punjab University in Chandigarh, India, with a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in sociology) in June 2006.

1. Your favourite proverb?

"Work as if you were to live a hundred years. Pray as if you were to die tomorrow."

2. Life is ...

Too short, yet too long.

3. What according to you is democracy?

Democracy is a form of government where people have their rights to say.

4. What are your chances of winning?

If people firmly believe in the word 'RIGHT,' then I am sure to win.

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

Unemployment among youth is the greatest villain in the present scenario. Though we tend to boast about the absence of caste and other inequalities to the outside world, regional inequalities are still rampant, be it in an organisation or a community. And also lack of political consciousness among the lay people is another issue that we need to look into.

6. How would you address them?

"United we stand; divided we fall." As an individual, it is almost an impossible mission but, through my party, I am hopeful that I would be able to bring some changes. I have noticed that there are no values and skills oriented programme provided to youth to match the demand of the current job market. I am hopeful that I will be able to endow the above. Despite the fact that the Election Commission of Bhutan has been endeavouring to edify the people on the political changes in the country, there is still tons left to be done. We need to create an awareness of electing right, competent, endowed and accomplished persons to benefit the nation as a whole instead of voting for kinfolks.

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

For me, it's not about losing or winning. We are here to offer diversity to our people to pick the right candidate or party that they think would be of advantage to the nation. And I would be very pleased, whether my party loses or wins, that I have provided an arena for our people from where they have been able to judge a right party that they believe is good for the nation.

8. If you are elected as PM, what is the first thing you would do for Bhutanese women?

I think people will not elect me just to empower but to benefit the nation as a whole.

9. Describe your opponent in three words?

She is good!

10. "It's not the voting that's democracy, it's the counting." Comment.

Counting follows voting. Therefore, if I am voted, I am automatically counted.

11. Why did you join the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa?

It is comprised of experienced, qualified and nurtured leaders.

12. The last book you read?

"Winners don't do different things, they do it differently by Shiv Kera."

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

As of now, I don't see any drawback because media itself is in nascent stage. I am confident it will definitely improve hereafter, as it plays a vital role in a democratic country.

14. What should be done to encourage more Bhutanese women to join politics?

By telling them that they are equally capable.

15. Should a certain percentage of seats in parliament be reserved for women?

No, because I don't find any gender inequalities.

16. Are women discriminated against in Bhutan?

No, they are treated equally in Bhutan.

PDP's Dorji Choden, 47, from Kangpara village is the first Bhutanese female engineer. She has served in the civil service for 22 years in various capacities. She was a commissioner with the Anti Corruption Commission before resigning to join PDP. She has a Master¹s in Public Administration from the Syracuse University in New York.

1. Your favourite proverb?

"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves."

2. Life is ...

... born of woman.

3. What according to you is democracy?

Freedom of choice, with responsibility and accountability.

4. What are your chances of winning?

I am confident in my people's support.

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

The disparity of economic development between the rural and urban areas. Our population is predominantly rural, and minimizing this disparity will address many national issues such as poverty alleviation, youth unemployment, and rural-urban migration.

6. How would you address them?

There is a need to re-strategize rural development. Therefore, my priorities among others will be enhancing rural livelihood and lifestyle through increased economic opportunities by way of enterprising agricultural activities, building strategic road interconnectivity, decentralized (in its true sense) social infrastructure, public service facilities, public services and utilizing IT to its best capacity.

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

As an opposition MP, I will work constructively as a check on the majority party and serve in the best interest of our people and country.

8. If you are elected as the PM, what is the first thing you would do for Bhutanese women?

Increase economic opportunities for women, particularly for the school drop-outs from a lower economic background. They are the most vulnerable group, subject to domestic violence, sex abuse and other discriminatory treatments. Equally important will be educating society to recognize and promote the role of women in social, economic and political affairs as equal and capable partners.

9. Describe your opponent in three words?

Although I haven't met her, she appears to be a bright, forward-looking young lady.

10. "It is not the voting that is democracy it is the counting." Comment

I believe that voting carefully through informed and free choice is far more important than the counting, which is more of a logistical and mechanical process.

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

I was inspired by the leadership, which believes in serving at the grass root level. We have no dearth of good policies. What we need is leadership, that will translate and transform the policies to action on the ground and make differences to the lives of our fellow citizens. This aspiration is what has made me join PDP.

12. The last book you read?

"Temptations of the West" by Pankaj Mishra.

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

It is increasingly being observed that media is resorting to sensationalization and making news out of gossip, hearsay, or unsubstantiated complaints, creating a situation for unhealthy battles, as happened with the start of the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the political parties. Definitely, media has to play its role as an effective watchdog. Society would largely benefit if it could present a balanced analysis of the situation, ask questions on deeper issues, which would educate the general public and enable them to have right information and make right choices.

14. What should be done to encourage more Bhutanese women to join politics?

By generating more awareness on the importance of women in politics (media can play an important role here) and creating an enabling environment through gender sensitization programs. Women must be encouraged to participate wholeheartedly by removing barriers and obstacles that might exist, such as social restraints, unhealthy working environment, and more open discussions.

15. Should a certain percentage of seats in Parliament be reserved for women?

Reserving seats for women is one way of ensuring greater participation of women in politics. However, the most effective way to attain that goal from the experience of some countries is for women's groups within parties and outside to ensure that parties increase the number of women candidates - that is, women candidates with a fair chance of winning.

16. Are women discriminated against in Bhutan?

No, women enjoy equal opportunity. Certain circumstances - women being underrepresented in positions of influence and decision-making - may be misconstrued as discrimination but, certainly as far as policies and cultural norms go, there is no overt discrimination in Bhutan.