BBS: January 18: The Kingdom’s first General Elections to the National Assembly that will see Bhutanese voters elect 47 members of the National Assembly will be held on March 24, 2008.
Announcing the dates of the elections for the National Assembly, the Chief Election Commissioner said the National Assembly Election starts with the submission of letter of intent by the two registered political parties on January 22.
Polling and counting of votes will be held on March 24 and declaration of results on March 25.
The Election Commissioner Dasho Kuenzang Wangdi said since there are only two political parties, there shall be no Primary Round Polls. Nonetheless, time will be given for activities pertaining to the primary round to the parties, while the General Election Polls will take place in the month of March as decreed by His Majesty the King.
The Commission says the Election Campaign and the Release of Party Manifesto by political parties will commence with the submission of Letter of Intent by the two registered parties on January 22.
Filing of nomination of candidates will commence on January 31 and end on February 7.
The timing for the TV debates between the party Presidents has not been announced. But the debates between candidates in the constituencies will commence on February 7.
A candidate can start campaigning upon acceptance of candidature by the concerned Returning Officer. Parties and candidates get almost two months to campaign.
The Election Commission says this will also enable voters to be in a better position to make informed decision.
Campaigning will end at 9:00am on 22nd March, 48 hours before voting begins.
Polling for the National Assembly election on 24th March will remain open from 9:00am till 5:00pm.
The Poll Day shall be declared a holiday. The Commission says Poll Day is scheduled to fall on a Monday so that civil servants and employees from corporations and other organizations who need to travel to their constituencies to vote can take minimum additional leave as there would be three days holiday including the weekend.
It says all employers are required by law to grant leave for the purpose.
The total estimated budget for the National Assembly elections is Nu. 72.32 million.
Helicopter service for Lunana polling
The Elections Commission says polling will take place at 864 polling stations spread across the country.
Meanwhile, alternative arrangements are being made for voters in Lunana under Gasa, as the gewog will be physically out of bound. It says the Royal Bhutan Army shall be responsible to mobilize and coordinate helicopter service for polling at Lunana proper.
For voters in Eusuna, the Commission says since polling stations cannot be established in view of the distance and difficult conditions, voting will be conducted in Ramina.
Voters from Eusuna will be given Nu. 500 per day to compensate for the minimum number of days required for them to travel to and from Eusuna.
The Commission reminds political parties, candidates, media, election officials and the general public that the Election Code of Conduct shall come into effect beginning January 17 and will remain in force until the completion of the election period on the afternoon of March 25.
The Commission says National Assembly election will be a historic and first election involving political parties, heralding the introduction of Democratic Constitutional Monarchy in the country.
It says each and every eligible voter must make all efforts to turn out on the Poll Day and fulfill the fundamental responsibility of voting and nurture the seed of democracy sown by our beloved monarchs.
Postal ballot application by February 18
The last date for receiving Postal Ballot application for the National Assembly election is February 18.
The Returning Officer or Assistant Returning Officer will mail the Postal ballots beginning February 20.
The Election Commission informs people that the duly filled Postal Ballots must reach the Returning Officer no later than 5:00pm on March 23.
Meanwhile, voters going in person to their polling stations must carry their Voter Photo Identity Card (VPIC). It is the valid document for identification of voters at the polling booths on the Poll Day. Voters should also carry their Citizenship Identity Card.
The commission says in the event of any dispute related to the VPIC, the Citizenship Identity card will form the basis on which the presiding officer will take necessary decision.
As for the list of eligible voters, the draft Electoral Roll will be updated to include those eligible voters who turned 18 years of age by January 1, 2008.
The updated list will also include those whose details and application for registration were received after the closure of the Electoral Roll on November 30 last year.
The Election Commission says the final Electoral Roll for the elections will be published on March 5.