Bhutan Holds Fourth Parliamentary Elections
Thimphu, Bhutan – Bhutan held its fourth parliamentary elections on Tuesday, with voters casting ballots to elect 47 members of the lower house of parliament.
The elections were held under a proportional representation system, with each voter casting a single vote for a party. The party with the most votes wins a majority of seats, and the remaining seats are allocated to other parties based on their share of the vote.
The incumbent Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) party, led by Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, is seeking a third term in office. The DPT is the largest party in Bhutan, with 28 seats in the current parliament.
The main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is led by former Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. The PDP has 17 seats in the current parliament.
Turnout for the elections was reportedly high, with over 70% of eligible voters casting ballots.
The results of the elections are expected to be announced on Wednesday.
Voters Express Hope for Economic Growth
Voters in Bhutan expressed a strong desire for economic growth and job creation.
“The most important thing for Bhutanese people right now is to grow the economy and develop ourselves,” said Karma, a voter from Punakha, a town near Thimphu. “There is a lot of unemployment in Bhutan, and those who have jobs don’t earn enough to support themselves and their families.”
The DPT has pledged to focus on economic growth if re-elected. The party has promised to create jobs, attract foreign investment, and promote tourism.
The PDP has also pledged to focus on economic growth, but has also criticized the DPT’s handling of the economy. The PDP has accused the DPT of corruption and mismanagement.
Youth Migration a Concern
A growing concern in Bhutan is the migration of young people to other countries in search of better opportunities.
According to a local media outlet, nearly 15,000 people applied for visas in 2022.
“Many young people are leaving Bhutan because they don’t see a future here,” said Karma. “They want to find better jobs and opportunities elsewhere.”
The government of Bhutan has taken steps to address the issue of youth migration, including providing more scholarships and job training opportunities.
The results of the parliamentary elections will be closely watched to see how they will affect the government’s efforts to address the concerns of Bhutanese voters.
