Aspirants waiting for ECB for notification

Election: The local government election may be months away, but Bumthang dzongkhag is all geared up, at least going by the candidates vying for the post of the dzongkhag thrompon.

Three contestants from Chamkhar and Gyal Lyon Khar constituencies are weighing up the post. Thrompon aspirants, Pema Dawa and Pema Namgyal will contest from Chamkhar constituency while Ugyen Dendup will compete from Gyal Lyon Khar.  And the aspirants are eagerly waiting for the ECB notification.

“We would file the nominations when ECB notifies the election dates,” Pema Dawa who owns River Lodge said.

The aspirants are also keeping in constant contact with the ECB on developments.

“When I called the ECB yesterday, I was told that the notification would be issued when the first phase of elections are wound up,” Pema Namgyal who is working with Norbu Bhutan travels as the regional manager said.

Pema Namgyal from Chamkhar has also worked with the Bhutan National Bank and Centre for Bhutan studies before resigning to take over his parents’ business. The aspirant who also contested 2011 thromde thuemi election has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Bangalore University in India.

Pema Namgyal who transferred his census from Jakar to Chamkhar was disqualified, as he didn’t fulfil census criteria of one-year residence then.

However, reinvigorated by the prospect, the 32-year-old is ready to compete again and “serve the people.”

“Poor road network within the municipality, sewerage problem and drinking water shortage are some pertinent issues that need immediate attention,” according Pema Namgyal.

But Pema Namgyal isn’t the lone candidate who sees these issues from Chamkhar constituency. Pema Dawa is also eyeing the coveted post. The duo must sift through zomdus from Chamkhar to lock their horns with the candidates from five other constituencies.

The 63 year-old, is entering the fray with an extensive experience in teaching as headmaster in various schools before resigning in 2002, as principal from then Jakar high school.

Originally from Tang, Pema Dawa who joined teaching in 1970 has a BA in Education from University of New Brunswick, Canada. Pema Dawa also attended NIE in Samtse and pursued school administration course from University of London in UK.

In Chamkhar, he also serves as the chairman for the hotel association of Bumthang and Garpang community land development project besides shouldering the responsibility of vice chairman for municipal waste management.

With experience and knowledge about the immediate issues and problems confronted in Chamkhar, Pema Dawa would contest to expedite the town planning and improve the existing facilities of drinking water, urban road network and power breakdowns.

“Bumthang is a new thromde and since I was born and brought up here, I understand the issues better and know best to develop suitable plans,” Pema Dawa said.

The third aspirant, Ugyen Dendup, 41, claiming of entering the rally upon receipt of written plea from the people to represent them is contesting from Gyal Lyon Khar.

“Upon request of the people, I resigned from Menjong Sorig Pharmaceutical (MPS) in October 2015 to compete in the upcoming elections,” Ugyen Dendup said.

The aspirant conceded to people’s plea because of his vast experience in managerial and administrative affairs. “Although it is up to the people to decide who should represent them, I am contesting to offer a choice of candidates,” Ugyen Dendup who has served in MSP for 16 years said.

Ugyen Dendup has a BSc degree and MSc in Pharmaceutical Science from universities of Aberdeen and Strathclyde of UK respectively.

Tempa Wangdi, Bumthang

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