Thimphu: The people of Bhutan have qued up in the polling stations to exercise their right to vote. The country holds the final round of Parliamentary elections. People are traveling long distances to play their part in the democracy.
Bhutan is a country known for the importance it has given to happiness. The happiness index of the country has been affected by the economic issues. The campaigns by two political parties, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) focus on the “happiness and well-being of the people.”
It is considered as a tool to measure the success of a Government according to the constitution of Bhutan. The contesting parties need a victory in at least 24 constituencies among the total 47 constituencies to form the Government.
The authorities shortlisted the two parties to contest for the final elections after the preliminary rounds of elections in November 2023.
The Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) is the authority responsible for conducting elections in the country.
Bhutan follows a subdued campaign structure that strictly mandates the use of campaign materials only on public notice boards.
ECB has deployed over 6000 officials, including security personnel to the 812 voting centers across the country. The polling booths will remain open from 8 am to 5 pm. The results of the election are expected to be declared the following day.
The Bhutanese cast their votes for the first time in 2008. The change that came after the parliamentary reforms for the establishment of a bicameral Government soon after the start of the reign of the present king, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
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