The Election Commission of Bhutan through the Volunteer-VOICE (Volunteers for Voter Information, Communication and Education), as a part of Civic Education for communities with the engagement of volunteers, is conducting a Training of Trainers (ToT) Programme for 15 registered volunteers from 20th to 22nd of March 2017 at BCP-NC hall, Democracy House, Kawangjangsa, Thimphu.
The Election Commission of Bhutan has recognized promoting stakeholder engagement especially with the interested Bhutanese Citizen through Volunteer-VOICE Charter which was adopted on 13th of August 2013. One key way the Commission aims to achieve this goal is through creating awareness and understanding of electoral process through extensive voter education programme among the voters by the interested Bhutanese Youth who in turn becomes educated in the electoral process.
The competent participants will, after the programme, be sent to the communities of Pema Gatshel and Sarpang Dzongkhags to conduct voter awareness programme focusing on Electoral Democracy and Participation. The programme is being conducted taking into account the experience and the feedback from the Volunteer-VOICE Programme conducted earlier, and will be thereafter replicated in other Dzongkhags in due course of time.
The pilot Volunteer-VOICE programme was successfully conducted in Chukha Dzongkhag in the year of 2014 and then carried out in Trashi Yangtse Dzongkhag in the year of 2015.
At the opening session, the Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner highlighted the aims and objectives of the programme and the importance of the need for dedicated services of the volunteers in ensuring that the electorate understand electoral procedures correctly. He urged the volunteers to take pride in serving the Nation through Volunteer-VOICE which is in a way serving to strengthen Democracy as envisioned by our benevolent Kings.
Media Unit
Election Commission of Bhutan
