March 24, 2008 Polling Ends in
Bhutan, Himalayan State Becomes Newest Democracy By Syed
Zarir Hussain
Thimphu
Heavy voting was recorded in Bhutan as the Himalayan kingdom Monday
held its first parliamentary elections on its way to becoming the
world's newest democracy, marking the end of 100 years of monarchy.
"There was brisk voting and we expect the overall turnout to quite
high," Chief Election Commissioner Dasho Kunzang Wangdi said.
Three hours before polling ended at 5 p.m., more than 60 percent of
balloting had been recorded.
The elections were held for the 47-member National Assembly or the
lower house in parliament with 318,465 registered voters eligible to
exercise their franchise in the largely Buddhist nation of about
600,000 people.
Bhutan's first elected prime minister will be from among the
National Assembly members. A national holiday has been declared in
this Shangri-la of jaw-dropping beauty for the vote.
Counting of votes has begun and the first results are expected late
Monday. "The final results are expected by Tuesday morning," Wangdi
said.
"I am feeling really excited after casting my vote," said Sangay
Dorjee, a young businessman.
Men in colourful 'ghos', full-sleeved robes tied at the waist, and
women dressed in 'kiras', sarong-like wraps, lined up at polling
stations in Gelephu in southern Sarpang district, the constituency
with the highest number of voters at 11,803. Gelephu borders India's
Assam state.
"I have literally created history. I was among those who cast our
votes in the first few minutes after voting opened," Tenzin Wangdi,
a young college student, told IANS.
Monks clad in maroon-robes and tonsured heads offered prayers at a
monastery by lighting butter lamps as Bhutan marched towards
democracy.
"We really don't know what is there in store for our country. We
hope everything goes fine under the new system," an elderly monk who
identified himself as Tshering said.
Members of the royal family and those directly associated with
religious institutions are not allowed to vote.
The polls are monitored by 42 observers from India, the European
Union, Japan, Canada, the US, Denmark, Australia, Netherlands and
officials of the UNDP.
"A total of 5,184 polling officials engaged to conduct the
elections," the chief election commissioner said.
The elections are the culmination of a plan by former king Jigme
Singye Wangchuck - who handed his crown to his young Oxford-educated
son Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in December 2006 - to change with
the times and relinquish absolute rule.
Jigme Khesar has since assumed charge as Bhutan's new king.
The former king had set the process in 2001 for Bhutan's
transformation from an absolute monarch to a parliamentary democracy
that led to the country having a new constitution.
The king would become head of state after the National Assembly
polls next year, but parliament would have the power to impeach him
by a two-thirds vote.
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