Bhutan holding its first parliamentary election Monday

Bhutan is holding its first parliamentary polls, on Monday, as the Himalayan kingdom takes its first major step in embracing democracy following the drafting of its new constitution. While hundreds of thousands of their fellow men are languishing in foreign refugee camps, eight Nepali speaking candidates are also contesting in the election for the landlocked country's National Council (NC) or upper house, which is being monitored by international observers including India and the UN.

The NC has 20 seats to be filled up through direct election by the voters and five to be filled up by five eminent nominees of the king.

"We are ready for the National Council (NC) polls. All the fundamental machineries are in place," Bhutan's Chief Election Commissioner Kunzang Wangdi told media agencies a day before the polls, adding that the mood in the country is lively as "everyone is optimistic of getting the best system of governance".

Altogether forty-four candidates will contest for the 15 seats of NC. Of 312,817 registered voters for the NC election, 269,963 people from 15 districts will be eligible to exercise their franchise at 723 polling stations to elect 15 members to the upper house of Parliament.

The Bhutanese king would nominate five additional members to the council whereas election in five constituencies has been postponed.

Polling will begin at 8 am and close at 4 pm. International observers, including from India and the UN, will monitor the polls.

Nepali speaking Bhutanese citizens Chatrapati Fuyal, Dr. Mani Kumar Rai, Bhisnu Lal Gurung and Lal Bahadur Gurung are contesting in the national council election from Samchi.

Similarly, Krishna Tamang and Mangal Singh Gurung are contesting in the NC election from Dagana, Dhan Bahadur Magar from Sarbhang and Justin Gurung from Chirang.

One has to be a university graduate and between the age of 25 to 65 years to be eligible to file candidacy for the NC election.

Meanwhile, Kuenselonline, Bhutan's official news agency reported that the Election Commission's plea to the public to refrain from going on pilgrimage at this time of year as it clashes with the dates set for the National Council election, December 31, have fallen on deaf years as hundreds of Bhutanese are continuing to move out to India on pilgrimage from the border town of Phuentsholing. Many are not even aware that the country is holding its first National Council election today. nepalnews.com ag Dec 31 07