The Election Commission of Bhutan is pleased to inform the people of Bhutan that the Polls of the Bye-Elections for the post of Gup, Ramjar Gewog under Trashi Yangtse Dzongkhag and Tshogpa of Maan_Tshelinggor Chiwog, Zobel Gewog under Pema Gatshel Dzongkhag and elections in the Vacant Demkhongs in these two Dzongkhags were successfully conducted on 10th of August 2012.
The Bye-Elections were contested by single candidates and 7 candidates contested for 6 vacant Tshogpa Demkhongs, out of which 7 male were successfully elected in the two Dzongkhags.
Out of the total 3227 registered voters in the Demkhongs where elections were called, Registered Voters exercised their franchise with 672 (279 male and 393 female) casting their votes in person on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and none through Postal Ballot. The Voter Turnout percentage is 20.8%
Of the 9 candidates, 5 candidates had studied upto Class III to VII and 1 Female candidate upto Class V.
There are now a total of 100 women who have been elected to Local Government Posts i.e. 1 Gup, 12 Mangmis, 84 Gewog Tshogpas and 3 Thromde Tshogpas.
The full details of the Final Result are available on the Election Commission’s website: http://www.election-bhutan.org.bt/2012/BYEELECTION/index.html
The Certificate of Elections shall be awarded to the successful Candidates by 13th of August 2012.
The Polls were conducted in 11 Polling Stations in the two Dzongkhags. The total number of officials on election duty is as follows;
1. National Observers 2
2. Returning Officers, (Dzongkhag Electoral Officers of the respective Dzongkhags) 2
3. Polling Officials; 55
4. Presiding Officers; 7
5. Chief Election Coordinators; 2
6. Deputy Chief Election Coordinator; 1
7. Assistant Chief Election Coordinators; and 4
8. Assisted effectively by the Dzongkhag Election Offices. 2
The Bye-Elections and elections in the Remaining Vacant Demkhongs under Pema Gatshel and Trashi Yangtse Dzongkhags were conducted with an estimated budget of Nu.1.44 million
We are happy to report that the election went smoothly. Not a single dispute was reported till Poll Day. On the Poll Day everything went smoothly.
The Election Commission of Bhutan would like to thank the voters who came to vote, the entire team of dedicated election officials, security personnel and polling officers who worked with commitment and enthusiasm and acknowledge support rendered by all stakeholders.
The Election Petition period starts from today, the 11th of August 2012 and ends at 5.00 p.m. on 21st of August 2012. Any aggrieved voter or Candidate may file an Election Petition in a Court of Law on any decision of the Dispute Settlement Body or Election Commission including Poll Day proceedings and/or EVM related.
There are still a total of 63 remaining vacancies in 18 Dzongkhags including 5 for the Dzongkhag Thromde Thuemi posts and 58 Gewog Tshogpa posts. The details of the vacant Demkhongs are available on the Election Commission’s website:
http://www.election-bhutan.org.bt/2012/BYEELECTION/VaccancyFinal.pdf
The Elections to these vacancies shall be called and conducted in due course of time.
Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan
