2013 Bhutanese National Council election

National Council elections were held in Bhutan on 23 April 2013.[1] All candidates ran as independents, as National Council members were prohibited from belonging to a political party.[2]

Electoral system

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The 20 members of the National Council were elected in single-member constituencies equivalent to the country's twenty Dzongkhags. A further five members were appointed by the Druk Gyalpo.[2]

Candidates had to register by 31 March, whilst the campaigning period lasted from 1 to 21 April.[1] A total of 67 candidates registered to run in the election, although the Dagana and Trashigang dzongkhags had only one candidate each.[3] In those dzongkhags voters were given the choice of voting against the only candidate.[4]

Election day was a public holiday, and the country's borders were closed for the day.[5]

Results

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Dzongkhag Candidate Votes % Notes
Bumthang Nima 2,264 48.41 Elected
Sonam Tenzin 971 20.76
Rinchen Phuntsho 951 20.33
Tshewang Jurmi 491 10.50
Chukha Pema Tenzin 6,995 65.53 Elected
Tshewang Lhamo 3,680 34.47
Dagana Sonam Dorji 7,989 81.83 Elected
Against 1,774 18.17
Gasa Sangay Khandu 603 44.60 Elected
Tenzin 407 30.10
Yeshey Dorji 342 25.30
Haa Tshering Dorji 1,866 51.68 Elected
Khandu Wangchuk 634 17.56
Choda Jamtsho 631 17.47
Tenzin Norbu 480 13.29
Lhuntse Tempa Dorji 3,193 60.08 Elected
Rinzin Rinzin 2,122 39.92
Mongar Sonam Wangchuk 4,821 38.13 Elected
Naichu 4,484 35.47
Tshering Wangchen 3,338 26.40
Paro Kaka Tshering 2,422 23.73 Elected
Kinley Dorji 2,075 20.33
Ugyen Tshering 2,071 20.29
Sonam Wangchuk 2,056 20.14
Tshewang Norbu 1,583 15.51
Pemagatshel Jigmi Rinzin 5,184 57.78 Elected
Pema Wangchuk 2,103 23.44
Sherab Jamtsho 1,685 18.78
Punakha Rinzin Dorji 3,449 55.51 Elected
Namgay Dorji 2,764 44.49
Samdrup Jongkhar Jigme Wangchuk 5,213 55.28 Re-elected
Kinga Dorji 2,434 25.81
Sangay Lhendup 1,784 18.92
Samtse Sangay Khandu 9,907 48.56 Elected
Dhan Kumar Ghalley 4,595 22.52
Chungdu Tshering 1,944 9.53
Chhatrapati Phuyel 1,363 6.68
Ganesh Ghimiray 912 4.47
Kharananda Dhakal 906 4.44
Narayan Dahal 775 3.80
Sarpang Dhan Bdr. Monger 4,131 32.89 Elected
Sonam Doekar 3,855 30.69
Rangu Pati Suberi 1,674 13.33
Anand Rai 1,488 11.85
Dhan Kumar Basnet 1,412 11.24
Thimphu Nima Gyeltshen 2,250 41.78 Elected
Tshering 1,624 30.16
Tshering Tashi 1,511 28.06
Trashigang Sonam Kinga 11,229 81.20 Re-elected
Against 2,600 18.80
Trashiyangtse Tashi Phuntsho 3,226 58.51 Elected
Karma Gyeltshen 2,288 41.49
Trongsa Tharchen 2,083 47.15 Elected
Tashi Samdrup 1,629 36.87
Jagar Dorji 706 15.98
Tsirang Kamal Bahadur Gurung 2,381 24.40 Elected
Passang Thingh Tamang 2,011 20.61
Shyam Basnet 1,920 19.68
Novin Darlami 1,664 17.05
Sangay Tamang 1,305 13.37
Justin Gurung 477 4.89
Wangdue Phodrang Tashi Dorji 5,848 57.84 Elected
Sonam Yangchen 3,540 35.01
Chado Namgyal 723 7.15
Zhemgang Pema Dakpa 2,413 35.92 Elected
Yeshi Tshomo 1,219 18.15
Dorji Kadin 1,209 18.00
Ugyen Chophel 968 14.41
Pema Lhamo 909 13.53
Total 171,544 100
Registered voters/turnout 379,819 45.16
Source: Election Commission of Bhutan[4][6]

Aftermath

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Following the election Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck appointed Dasho Karma Yezer Raydi, Kuenlay Tshering, Karma Damcho Nidup, Tashi Wangmo and Tashi Wangyal to the Council.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b NC elections in April 2013 BBS
  2. ^ a b Country Profile IFES
  3. ^ NC Candidates Archived 2015-06-02 at the Wayback Machine Election Commission of Bhutan
  4. ^ a b National Council Result 2013 Archived 2013-05-14 at the Wayback Machine Election Commission of Bhutan
  5. ^ Bhutanese go to the polls in vote to elect new parliament China Post, 24 April 2013
  6. ^ Notification Archived 2013-05-14 at the Wayback Machine Election Commission of Bhutan
  7. ^ His Majesty re-nominates former five eminent persons BBS News, 8 May 2013