Bhutan election for National Assembly - 2013

Election Results

Bhutan PDP opposition party wins election

Turnout was high, at an estimated 80%


Continue reading the main story


The opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) has won the second-ever parliamentary election in Bhutan.


The PDP beat the ruling Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) party, which has strong links to the king.


The turnout was high at about 80%, said officials. The kingdom's struggling economy and ties with neighbouring India were key issues in the campaign.


The country has been a democracy since 2008, when the king voluntarily relinquished his absolute power.


The PDP won 32 of the country's 47 parliamentary seats, according to results posted on the official website of Bhutan's Election Commission.


The DPT, which won the last election in 2008, only secured 15 seats in Saturday's poll.



PDP leader Tshering Tobgay is likely to be named prime minister of the new government, the Associated Press news agency reports.


The PDP has criticised the government for a recent deterioration of ties with India, a key ally.


For decades, Bhutan has relied on its giant southern neighbour for much of its trade and foreign policy.




India's recent massive reduction of oil and gas subsidies for Bhutan has sparked speculation that this may be because of the Himalayan country's improving relations with China.

BBC

ELECTIONS

Bhutan opposition party wins in landslide election

Bhutan's main opposition party has won a landslide majority in parliamentary elections. It was the second round of voting in just the second election in the Himalayan kingdom’s history.

The official website of Bhutan's Election Commission says the People's Democratic Party (PDP) won 32 seats in the 47-member national assembly in Saturday's voting, with the ruling Peace and Prosperity Party (DPT) winning only 15 seats.

Both parties emerged as the two leaders following a primary vote back in May that saw four other parties eliminated.

DW.DE

Bhutan looks to boost tourism to alleviate poverty

Bhutan hopes that tourism will play a larger role in the kingdom's development and in alleviating poverty. But expanding tourism also poses challenges for the small country. (28.02.2012)

The country's chief election commissioner, Kunzang Wangdi, said a total of 850 polling stations had been set up, many of them in remote mountain villages. About 400,000 people were eligible to cast their ballots in the polls.

In 2008, the DPT won the election by a landslide and won the first round of this year's polls with 45 percent of the vote.

Among the issues said to be foremost in the minds of the kingdom's voters are rising fuel prices, after neighboring India cut subsidies on cooking gas and kerosene to Bhutan. The country has also been struggling under the effects of a credit crunch, another factor that has hurt the popularity of the government.

Bhutan's king gave up the monarchy's centuries-old absolute power in 2008, allowing the introduction of democracy to the Himalayan kingdom, which didn't introduce television until 1999.

Official results of the election will be announced on Sunday.

dw.de

RESULT OF THE PARLIAMENTRY ELECTIONS 2013
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS: GENERAL ELECTIONS

Bumthang

Result for Chhoekhor_Tang

Pema Gyamtsho TOTAL: 2505 VOTE %     64.26 % EVM     2105 POSTAL     400

Kuenzang Thinley TOTAL: 1393 VOTE %     35.74 % EVM     1230 POSTAL     163

Result for Chhumig_Ura

Tshewang Jurmi TOTAL: 1344 VOTE %     55.1 % EVM     1156 POSTAL     188

Karma Wangchuk TOTAL: 1095 VOTE %     44.9 % EVM     899 POSTAL     196

Chhukha

Result for Bongo_Chapchha

Dawa Gyaltshen TOTAL: 6229 VOTE %     70.06 % EVM     5271 POSTAL     958

Ugay Tshering TOTAL: 2662 VOTE %     29.94 % EVM     2470 POSTAL     192

Result for Phuentshogling

Rinzin Dorji TOTAL: 4861 VOTE %     71.87 % EVM     4624 POSTAL     237

Chencho Dorji TOTAL: 1903 VOTE %     28.13 % EVM     1827 POSTAL     76

Dagana

Result for Drukjeygang_Tseza

Karma Dorji TOTAL: 4585 VOTE %     61.73 % EVM     3856 POSTAL     729

Sonam Jamtsho TOTAL: 2843 VOTE %     38.27 % EVM     2511 POSTAL     332

Result for Lhamoi Dzingkha_Tashiding

Ngeema Sangay Tshempo TOTAL: 4608 VOTE %     62.08 % EVM     4100 POSTAL     508

Hemant Gurung TOTAL: 2815 VOTE %     37.92 % EVM     2520 POSTAL     295

Gasa

Result for Khamaed_Lunana

Pema Drukpa TOTAL: 358 VOTE %     50.14 % EVM     324 POSTAL     34

Kinley Dorji TOTAL: 356 VOTE %     49.86 % EVM     341 POSTAL     15

Result for Khatoed_Laya

Damcho Dorji TOTAL: 444 VOTE %     55.36 % EVM     387 POSTAL     57

Dorji Khandu TOTAL: 358 VOTE %     44.64 % EVM     353 POSTAL     5

Haa

Result for Bji_Kar-Tshog_Uesu

Kinley Om TOTAL: 1722 VOTE %     56.63 % EVM     1471 POSTAL     251

Gado Tshering TOTAL: 1319 VOTE %     43.37 % EVM     1155 POSTAL     164

Result for Sombaykha

Tshering Tobgay TOTAL: 1503 VOTE %     71.4 % EVM     1223 POSTAL     280

Dago Tsheringla TOTAL: 602 VOTE %     28.6 % EVM     536 POSTAL     66

Lhuentse

Result for Gangzur_Minjey

Karma Rangdol TOTAL: 2302 VOTE %     58.9 % EVM     1774 POSTAL     528

Lobzang Dorji TOTAL: 1606 VOTE %     41.1 % EVM     1025 POSTAL     581

Result for Maenbi_Tsaenkhar

Yeshey Dorji TOTAL: 2272 VOTE %     54.67 % EVM     1512 POSTAL     760

Tshering Tenzin TOTAL: 1884 VOTE %     45.33 % EVM     1445 POSTAL     439

Monggar

Result for Dramedtse_Ngatshang

Ugyen Wangdi TOTAL: 4164 VOTE %     61.57 % EVM     3467 POSTAL     697

Tshering Dorji TOTAL: 2599 VOTE %     38.43 % EVM     1964 POSTAL     635

Result for Kengkhar_ Weringla

Rinzin Jamtsho TOTAL: 3453 VOTE %     68.63 % EVM     2635 POSTAL     818

Sonam Jamtsho TOTAL: 1578 VOTE %     31.37 % EVM     988 POSTAL     590

Result for Monggar

Jigme Zangpo TOTAL: 3109 VOTE %     52.29 % EVM     2283 POSTAL     826

Karma Lhamo TOTAL: 2837 VOTE %     47.71 % EVM     2307 POSTAL     530

Paro

Result for Dokar_Sharpa

Kezang Wangmo TOTAL: 3571 VOTE %     59.96 % EVM     3181 POSTAL     390

Chencho Dorji TOTAL: 2385 VOTE %     40.04 % EVM     2200 POSTAL     185

Result for Lamgong_Wangchang

Khandu Wangchuk TOTAL: 3758 VOTE %     56.24 % EVM     3442 POSTAL     316

Ugyen Tshering TOTAL: 2924 VOTE %     43.76 % EVM     2582 POSTAL     342

Pema Gatshel

Result for Khar_Yurung

Zangley Dukpa TOTAL: 3591 VOTE %     78.27 % EVM     2245 POSTAL     1346

Tashi Norbu TOTAL: 997 VOTE %     21.73 % EVM     503 POSTAL     494

Result for Nanong_Shumar

Jigmi Yoeser Thinley TOTAL: 3742 VOTE %     78.73 % EVM     2671 POSTAL     1071

Pema Wangchuk TOTAL: 1011 VOTE %     21.27 % EVM     716 POSTAL     295

Result for Nganglam

Choida Jamtsho TOTAL: 3121 VOTE %     83.16 % EVM     2466 POSTAL     655

Sherab Jamtsho TOTAL: 632 VOTE %     16.84 % EVM     330 POSTAL     302

Punakha

Result for Kabisa_Talog

Dophu Dukpa TOTAL: 3752 VOTE %     60.76 % EVM     3172 POSTAL     580

Namgye Penjore TOTAL: 2423 VOTE %     39.24 % EVM     2169 POSTAL     254

Result for Lingmukha_Toedwang

Chimi Dorji TOTAL: 2406 VOTE %     53.91 % EVM     1945 POSTAL     461

Sonam Wangyel Wang TOTAL: 2057 VOTE %     46.09 % EVM     1860 POSTAL     197

Samdrup Jongkhar

Result for Dewathang_Gomdar

Mingbo Dukpa TOTAL: 3970 VOTE %     52.49 % EVM     2916 POSTAL     1054

Ugyen Dorji TOTAL: 3594 VOTE %     47.51 % EVM     2987 POSTAL     607

Result for Jomotshangkha_Martshala

Pelzang Wangchuk TOTAL: 3171 VOTE %     56.33 % EVM     2303 POSTAL     868

Norbu Wangzom TOTAL: 2458 VOTE %     43.67 % EVM     1892 POSTAL     566

Samtse

Result for Dophuchen_Tading

Tek Bahadur Subba TOTAL: 5239 VOTE %     64.55 % EVM     4763 POSTAL     476

Thakur Singh Powdyel TOTAL: 2877 VOTE %     35.45 % EVM     2677 POSTAL     200

Result for Phuentshogpelri_Samtse

Dina Nath Dungyel TOTAL: 4977 VOTE %     70.47 % EVM     4527 POSTAL     450

Rebecca Gurung TOTAL: 2086 VOTE %     29.53 % EVM     1954 POSTAL     132

Result for Tashichhoeling

Ritu Raj Chhetri TOTAL: 5954 VOTE %     71.97 % EVM     5322 POSTAL     632

Durga Prasad Chhetri TOTAL: 2319 VOTE %     28.03 % EVM     2165 POSTAL     154

Result for Ugyentse_Yoeseltse

Madan Kumar Chhetri TOTAL: 4832 VOTE %     74.74 % EVM     4320 POSTAL     512

Lila Pradhan TOTAL: 1633 VOTE %     25.26 % EVM     1474 POSTAL     159

Sarpang

Result for Gelegphu

Gopal Gurung TOTAL: 5051 VOTE %     54.21 % EVM     3979 POSTAL     1072

Karma Donnen Wangdi TOTAL: 4267 VOTE %     45.79 % EVM     3538 POSTAL     729

Result for Shompangkha

Rinzin Dorje TOTAL: 5232 VOTE %     64.9 % EVM     4672 POSTAL     560

Nanda Lal Rai TOTAL: 2830 VOTE %     35.1 % EVM     2529 POSTAL     301

Thimphu

Result for NorthThimphuThromde_Kawang_Lingzhi_ Naro_Soe

Kinga Tshering TOTAL: 2047 VOTE %     50.41 % EVM     1888 POSTAL     159

Sangay Tshoki TOTAL: 2014 VOTE %     49.59 % EVM     1847 POSTAL     167

Result for South Thimphu Thromde_Chang_Darkarla _Ge-nyen_Maedwang

Yeshey Zimba TOTAL: 2649 VOTE %     51.13 % EVM     2445 POSTAL     204

Tandin Wangmo TOTAL: 2532 VOTE %     48.87 % EVM     2279 POSTAL     253

Trashigang

Result for Bartsham_Shongphu

Wangdi Norbu TOTAL: 3540 VOTE %     67.39 % EVM     2701 POSTAL     839

Thinley Norbu TOTAL: 1713 VOTE %     32.61 % EVM     1071 POSTAL     642

Result for Kanglung_Samkhar_Udzorong

Norbu Wangchuk TOTAL: 2743 VOTE %     50.02 % EVM     1946 POSTAL     797

Thinley Palden Dorji TOTAL: 2741 VOTE %     49.98 % EVM     2232 POSTAL     509

Result for Radhi_Sagteng

Jigme Wangchuk TOTAL: 2707 VOTE %     55.24 % EVM     2262 POSTAL     445

Kinley Dorji TOTAL: 2193 VOTE %     44.76 % EVM     1666 POSTAL     527

Result for Thrimshing

Dorji Choden TOTAL: 2541 VOTE %     68.09 % EVM     1496 POSTAL     1045

Choeki Wangmo TOTAL: 1191 VOTE %     31.91 % EVM     866 POSTAL     325

Result for Wamrong

Karma Tenzin TOTAL: 2154 VOTE %     50.63 % EVM     1410 POSTAL     744

Lhatu TOTAL: 2100 VOTE %     49.37 % EVM     1540 POSTAL     560

Tashi Yangtse

Result for Boomdeling_Jamkhar

Dupthob TOTAL: 2346 VOTE %     51.25 % EVM     1767 POSTAL     579

Thukten Tshering TOTAL: 2232 VOTE %     48.75 % EVM     1513 POSTAL     719

Result for Khamdang_Ramjar

Sonam Dondup Dorjee TOTAL: 2475 VOTE %     51.79 % EVM     1805 POSTAL     670

Kesang Wangdi TOTAL: 2304 VOTE %     48.21 % EVM     1824 POSTAL     480

Trongsa

Result for Draagteng_Langthil

Namgay Dorji TOTAL: 2010 VOTE %     56.11 % EVM     1644 POSTAL     366

Rinchen Dorji TOTAL: 1572 VOTE %     43.89 % EVM     1339 POSTAL     233

Result for Nubi_Tangsibji

Nidup Zangpo TOTAL: 1393 VOTE %     51.16 % EVM     1167 POSTAL     226

Kaentsho Sumpai Dhendup TOTAL: 1330 VOTE %     48.84 % EVM     966 POSTAL     364

Tsirang

Result for Kilkhorthang_Mendrelgang

Yogesh Tamang TOTAL: 5268 VOTE %     65.97 % EVM     4564 POSTAL     704

Yangku Tshering Sherpa TOTAL: 2718 VOTE %     34.03 % EVM     2400 POSTAL     318

Result for Sergithang_Tsirang Toed

Navin Darlami TOTAL: 4931 VOTE %     67.85 % EVM     4231 POSTAL     700

Udya Chandra Bhandari TOTAL: 2336 VOTE %     32.15 % EVM     2081 POSTAL     255

Wangdue Phodrang

Result for Athang_Thedtsho

Tandin Wangchuk TOTAL: 3831 VOTE %     59.88 % EVM     3199 POSTAL     632

Pasang Thrinlee TOTAL: 2567 VOTE %     40.12 % EVM     2352 POSTAL     215

Result for Nyishog_Saephu

Kuenga TOTAL: 3648 VOTE %     52.38 % EVM     3128 POSTAL     520

Gyem Dorji TOTAL: 3316 VOTE %     47.62 % EVM     3064 POSTAL     252

Zhemgang

Result for Bardo_Trong

Lekey Dorji TOTAL: 3149 VOTE %     58.27 % EVM     1934 POSTAL     1215

Gyambo Tshering TOTAL: 2255 VOTE %     41.73 % EVM     1577 POSTAL     678

Result for Panbang

Dorji Wangdi TOTAL: 1906 VOTE %     50.56 % EVM     1402 POSTAL     504

Tshering TOTAL: 1864 VOTE %     49.44 % EVM     1361 POSTAL     503

ECB

भुटानमा विपक्षीको सानदार जित

थिम्पु (एजेन्सी), असार ३० - भुटानको दोस्रो संसदीय निर्वाचनमा विपक्षी पिपुल्स डेमोक्रेटिक पार्टी (पीडीपी) ले सानदार जित हात पारेको छ । छिरिङ तोब्गे नेतृत्वको उक्त पार्टी ४७ मध्ये ३२ स्थानमा विजयी भएको हो ।

सन् २००७ मा भएको पहिलो निर्वाचनमा उक्त दल दुई सिटमै खुम्चेको थियो । चुनावअघिसम्मका प्रधानमन्त्री जिग्मे वाई थिन्ले नेतृत्वको ड्रुक फुन्सुम छोक्पा -डीपीटी) ले झन्डै सबै ४५ स्थान जितेको थियो । यसपटक ऊ १५ सिटमा झरेको छ । शनिबार सम्पन्न निर्वाचनमा चार लाख २९ हजार मतदाताको ८० प्रतिशत भोट खसेको थियो ।

भुटानमा दुई दलीय संसदीय अभ्यास छ । निर्वाचनसमेत दुई चरणमा हुन्छ । यसअघि ३१ मेमा सम्पन्न पहिलो चरणमा भाग लिएका पाँचमध्ये तीन दल खारेज भएका थिए । तीमध्ये एउटाले सबै क्षेत्रमा उम्मेदवार पुर्‍याउन नसकेपछि पहिलो चरणको निर्वाचनमै भाग लिन पाएन । अरू दुई दल तेस्रो र चौथो भएकाले पहिलो चरणबाटै बाहिरिए ।

दोस्रो चरणको निर्वाचन हुनु ११ दिनअघि भारतले भुटानलाई पेट्रोलियम पदार्थमा दिँदै आएको सहुलियत बन्द गरेको थियो । त्यसको असर निर्वाचनमा स्पष्ट देखिएको छ । सत्तारूढ दल डीपीटीले लज्जास्पद पराजय बेहोरेको छ ।

नेपालीमूलका ७ निर्वाचित भुटानमा नेपाली मूलका सात जना संसद्मा निर्वाचित भएका छन् । ती सबै पीडीपीका उम्मेदवार हुन् । निर्वाचित हुनेमा दक्षिणी भुटानको साम्ची जिल्लाबाट मात्र चार जना छन् । तिनमा रितुराज छेत्री, एमके छेत्री, डीएन ढुंगेल, टेकबहादुर सुब्बा, नवीन दर्लामी, योगेश तामाङ र गोपाल गुरुङ छन् ।

भुटानमा विपक्षीको सानदार जित

भुटानबाट थप नेपाली लखेटिने अवस्था

लीला बराल

बिर्तामोड, असार १२ - भुटान मानव अधिकार संगठनका अध्यक्ष एसबी सुब्बाले दक्षिण भुटानबाट थप नेपाली भाषी लखेटिने खतरा औंल्याउँदै यसप्रति नेपाल सरकार तथा विश्व समुदायको ध्यान जानुपर्ने बताएका छन् ।

सन् १९९० मा नेपाल निर्वासित सुब्बाले अधिकारवादी संस्था गठन गरी भुटानी शरणार्थीको अधिकारका पक्षमा सक्रिय रहँदै आएका छन् । भारत पश्चिम बंगालको सिलिगुढीमा बसोबास गर्दै भुटानभित्रको वर्तमान अवस्था नियालिरहेका उनले झापा आएका बखत कान्तिपुरसँग दक्षिण भुटानका ८० हजारभन्दा बढीलाई स्वेच्छाले देश छोड्न बाध्य गराएको जानकारी दिए । 'पूर्वी नेपालका भुटानी शिविरवासीको समस्या साँघुरिँदै गएपछि भुटानको एकजाति एक देशको नीति फेरि सक्रिय हुनेछ,' तीस वर्षको उमेरमै निर्वासनमा परेका शरणार्थी अधिकारकर्मीले भने, 'बेलैमा दबाबपूर्ण कदम नचाल्ने हो भने फेरि हजारौं भुटानीको थातबासको अधिकार खोसिने छ । उनीहरू मानवअधिकार हननको पीडादायी अवस्थाबाट गुज्रनुपर्नेछ ।'

सिलिगुढी बसेर भारत भुटानका सीमावर्ती क्षेत्रमा पुगी दक्षिण भुटानको अवस्थाबारे सूचना संकलनमा सक्रिय उनले त्यहाँका शासक दक्षिणका सरकारी कागजात जफत गर्ने, शिक्षा, स्वास्थ्यमा भेदभाव गर्ने तथा व्यापार व्यवसायको अनुमति नदिनेजस्ता कार्य गर्दै स्वेच्छाले देश छोड्न बाध्य पार्ने पुरानो नीतिमा सक्रिय रहेको बताउँछन् । कुनै पनि शासकले अवलम्बन गर्ने जाति सफायको नीति मानव अधिकारका दृष्टिले संसारको सबैभन्दा खराब अवस्था हो भन्ने निष्कर्षमा आफूलाई बितेको दुई दशकमा ज्ञात भएको सुब्बा सुनाउँछन् ।

भुटानी शरणार्थीको स्वदेश फिर्ती अभियान सफल हुन नसक्नुको मुख्य कारणबारे सुब्बा भन्छन्, भुटानी राजनीतिक दलले एकीकृत आन्दोलन गर्न नसक्नु, भुटानको गलत प्रचारबाजीको प्रतिवाद हुन नसक्नु तथा भारतको सहयोग नपाउनु शरणार्थी आन्दोलन विफलताका प्रमुख कारण औंल्याए ।

भारत भुटान सम्बन्ध र त्यसमा भारतीय सत्ताका केही व्यापारिक र सामरिक स्वार्थ गाँसिन गएकाले यति ठूलो मानवीय समस्या ब्युँतिरह्यो र समाधान दिशामा जान सकेन । उनले भित्रकै समस्यामा पनि तिखो टिप्पणी गर्दै शरणार्थीले कुनै बेला सर्वमान्य मानेका टेकनाथ रिजालजस्ता व्यक्तिसमेत सानोतिनो स्वार्थमा अल्भिmएर आन्दोलबाट विमुख बनेको उल्लेख गरे ।

सुब्बाले भुटानी सत्ताले अहिले गरिरहेको निर्वाचनलगायत गतिविधि प्रजातन्त्र र अधिकारका पक्षमा रहेको भन्नु भ्रमपूर्ण भन्दै त्यहाँ राजाको एकछत्र शासन कायम रहेको दाबी गरे । उनले संसारभर छरिएका भुटानीले एक न एक दिन संगठित आवाज उठाउनेमा आफ्नो विश्वास पनि प्रकट गरेका छन् ।

Source:  ekantipur.com

Bhutan’s road to democracy leads to China?

Senior officers recalled that Bhutan PM Jigme Thinley had said that that he only saw growing opportunities in China and no threat.

NEW DELHI: There's a new anxiety in the top echelons of New Delhi about what's arguably India's only friendly neighbour, Bhutan. As the hill kingdom takes another baby step in its transition from monarchy to democracy with its second parliamentary election on July 13, there's realization here that complacence has possibly allowed some disturbing developments there to go unnoticed. Friendship with Bhutan is often taken for granted by our foreign policy mandarins.

So, it was a rude shock when they learned last year from a Chinese press release that the new Bhutan PM, JigmeThinley, has had a meeting with the then Chinese premier Wen Jiabao and the two countries were set to establish diplomatic ties. Given that Bhutan's foreign policy is conducted by and large in close consultation with New Delhi, such an important step without its knowledge created disquiet.

Although the PM's office in Thimpu sought to play it down, senior officers recalled that Thinley had said months after taking over as PM that he only saw growing opportunities in China and no threat. As part of Bhutan's outreach to China was the decision last year to procure 20 Chinese buses, typically the kind of purchase that would normally be booked with, say, Tata Motors. It raised eyebrows. It did not help that the person who got the contract for supplying the buses was reported to be a relative of Thinley. What's ironic is that in his poll campaign, Thinley is said to be impressing upon the electorate that he was the best upholder ofBhutan's ties with India, whereas he has possibly complicated them.Thinley's Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party is again the main contender for power in this tiny, landlocked nation of 700,000 which saw transition to democracy from an over 100-year-old hereditary monarchy in 2008. Democracy in Bhutan was ushered in by Bhutan's benevolent fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

The last month saw the Bhutanese repose faith in the system with 55% of 380,000-strong electorate braving thunderstorms and landslides to exercise their franchise. As the world's largest democracy, India welcomed Bhutan's transition in 2008, but not everyone in South Block realized that the proposed model wasn't like India's Westminister model of parliamentary democracy. It's a diarchy in Bhutan with the monarch retaining certain overriding powers. Article 20.7 of Bhutan's Constitution says the cabinet shall be collectively responsible to the Druk Gya88lpo (the king) and to Parliament".

The government must also enjoy the confidence of the king as well as parliament. Further Article 20.4 says "the PM shall keep the Druk Gyalpo informed from time to time about the affairs of the state, including international affairs, and shall submit such information and files as called for by the Druk Gyalpo". It now appears that the king wasn't quite in the loop as Bhutan expanded its diplomatic ties with 53 countries, as against 22 in 2008, as well as its overture to Beijing to enhance ties with China which has maximum significance for India. If he hasn't stepped in, it is to avoid any unintended signalling for the growth of democracy in Bhutan.

According to geostrategist Brahma Chellaney, the populist power of electoral politics has introduced a major new element in Bhutan with trans-boundary implications. "As a small, vulnerable country, Bhutan would like to have a good relationship with China. But since the time China gobbled up Tibet, Bhutan's spiritual homeland, Beijing has turned its attention toreal estate in Bhutan, assertively laying claim to Bhutanese territory," says Chellaney. In foreign policy, any conflict between principles and national interest, the latter usually gets precedence. While celebrating the fledgling democracy in Bhutan, policy watchers wonder if New Delhi got blind-sighted to certain ominous signs.
Sachin Parashar, TNN 

The Times of India

Campaigns down south incomplete without discussing census

 

Voters after the PDP meeting in Dorokha

The other issue people expressed their discontentment was over Amochhu project to which some lost their land and were not compensated adequately

Although election commission has asked political parties to refrain from discussing the census issue, no campaigning in south is complete without a mention of it.

Although political party presidents might not talk about it, voters raise questions on both census and citizenship issue.

The census issue was raised soon after People’s Democratic Party president Tshering Tobgay reached Dorokha on June 23 after walking for four days from Haa.

“Tapai haru saapai ramrai tsa? Tapai heru khethi ko kaam chhoray ra yahan aunu bhako ma, ekkdam dhanyabadh cha la…”

This is how Tshering Tobgay greets voters before he begins his campaign speech in Samtse by asking voters if they were well and thanking them for attending the meeting in Lhotsamkha.

Admitting his Lhotsamkha was not good, Tshering Tobgay then switches to Dzongkha, which is translated to the people by other party candidates of the dzongkhag.

For about 200 people in Dorokha some of whom had walked since 7am with their bundled ghos slung across their shoulders to meet the president on June 23, the main issue they wanted addressed under the new government was the census and land ownership issue.

One voter, IB Rai from Bisgoan in Dorokha ‘A’ said because people in the South did not have the required “papers,” they face obstacles everyday irrespective of how hard they studied or worked.

“Is it because the government was weak that this issue was never resolved although it’s been on our minds for a long time now,” IB Rai said. “While those who left the country are long gone, those who stayed behind still don’t have thram of the land they occupy.”

Tshering Tobgay, whose understanding of Lhotsamkha was better than his speaking it, told the people, that the government did not have the authority to resolve the census issue, but that it was the state’s prerogative.

“The government can’t grant citizenship but it can facilitate the process, which, however, has not been done,” the president said. “If PDP forms the government, we’ll take the people’s problem to the state and facilitate in getting you citizenship.”

Travelling the bumpy Dorokha road, in the rain, fog and humidity, the party president and the candidates in the meeting at Panbari community school, were told that some children still walked for two and a half hours everyday to school.

“The former government promised to bring schools within one hour walking distance yet you said your children have to walk for more than two hours a day,” candidate Tek Bdr Subba said.

The people expressed to the president their discontentment over the Amochhu project that has resulted in them losing land to the project and not getting well compensated.

Tshering Tobgay said if PDP formed the government, they would sit together with the people and discuss on the compensation schemes to ensure people were not affected by the project.

To the people of Samtse – Chengmari – Pugli constituency, who had been waiting to listen to the president for about three hours, Tshering Tobgay said PDP’s pledge to provide helicopter was mocked by the other party, even though the same pledge was made by DPT in 2008 but which was not fulfilled.

“If you need change, you need to change the ruling government and you can give us a chance to serve you,” he said.

The census issue was again raised at the Norbugang (Chengmari) meeting, which started after Tshering Tobgay offered his prayers at the Shiva Mandir and was raised again at the meeting in Tashichholing  (Sipsoo), and again at the meeting in Gomtu and Phuentsholing yesterday, where more than half of those who attended the talk either did not have voting rights or had a family member who did not have voting rights.

“If there are four households in a village with the census problem, the problem would have spread to the whole village in a decade’s time,” a villager said. “That’s because people marry within the village ‘spoiling”’ the whole village’s census.”

By Sonam Pelden, Samtse

Kuenselonline

Immigrant Voices: After 20 years in a refugee camp, Bhutanese man seeks home in Portland

Mani Bharati (second from right) sits with his family, from left, Bipana Bharati, Dibya, 10, and Monika, 12; in their Southeast Portland apartment. They also have a son, Deoraj, 17. (Mike Lloyd/ The Oregonian)

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By Kelly House, The Oregonian 
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on June 16, 2013 at 9:00 AM, updated June 16, 2013 at 11:13 PM

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Editor's note: This series explores the diversity of Oregon's immigrant population through first-person stories of immigrants from throughout the world. All are in the U.S. legally.
Mani Bharati, who speaks Nepali, spoke through a translator. His responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
I moved to Portland in 2009, after 20 years living in a refugee tent camp in Nepal.
My family are Nepali-speaking Bhutanese who immigrated to Bhutan generations ago. The government recruited my great-grandfather and many other Nepalis to help build Southern Bhutan's infrastructure and farm the land. They granted us citizenship. But when the work was done in the 1980s, they kicked us out.
Those who stayed were illegally imprisoned, forced to wear traditional Northern Bhutanese dress and forbidden from practicing our Hindu religion or speaking Nepali in schools. Women were raped and houses were burned to the ground.

About Bhutan

Area:14,824 square miles, north of India and east of Nepal in South Central Asia

Population: 722,000

Immigration facts: Bhutan has experienced a refugee crisis since the early 1990s, when the country's government revoked citizenship of hundreds of thousands of Nepali-speaking Southern Bhutanese residents and ejected them from the country. Facing discrimination, false imprisonment, violence and property destruction, more than 100,000 fled to Nepal, where they have lived in tent camps for more than two decades. Despite numerous international attempts to settle the crisis, the refugees continue to live in exile. In 2008, the U.S. agreed to absorb 60,000 refugees from the tent camps, leading to an influx of Southern Bhutanese immigrants in Portland and other cities. According to Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization estimates, more than 200 Bhutanese refugees have arrived in Portland since 2011, with many more arriving in prior years. The U.S. does not have diplomatic relations with Bhutan.

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I was 15 when my family left, fearing we would be the next to experience the suffering we saw our neighbors endure. We drove by car into Nepal, but many others weren't so fortunate. They had to walk miles and miles through the jungle to escape. When we got there, the Nepalese government wouldn't give us citizenship, but they gave us bamboo sticks. We covered them with straw and tarps to make our houses, which caved in every time it rained hard.
They gave us some rice and potatoes, but it wasn't enough to live on. I had to work to buy extra food, but my sick father needed someone to look after him. My brother suggested an arranged marriage, and Bipana and I were wed. When we had children -- our son is now 17 and our two daughters are 12 and 10 -- food became scarcer.
Life in the camp was hard, but I was nervous to come to America, too. My wife has asthma and my daughter has seizures. I was worried they wouldn't get the care they needed in America.
We stayed with my brother for the first few days, then Catholic volunteers helped us find an apartment and showed us around Portland. They took us to the waterfalls. My kids enrolled in the David Douglas School District and I tried to find a job, but it was difficult. Every employer's first question is "Can you speak English?"
Each time I get rejected, I wonder how I will feed my kids or pay the rent. Right now, my wife is working part-time as a hotel housekeeper. All of her money goes straight to rent, and paying back the International Organization for Migration, which paid for our plane tickets to America. I am taking language classes at Portland Community College, but my kids have learned faster than me. They have good teachers at school.
The health care here is better than in Nepal, too.
When I moved here, my brother helped me get involved in Grow Portland, a program that helps refugee immigrants get on their feet through farming. For $750, I rent a one-acre plot in Southeast Portland and sell my goods at the Portland Farmers Market. I farmed in Nepal, but I am learning a lot about American consumers. If the turnip or the cucumber is too big, they won't buy it. It's a struggle. I don't think I'll make more than $1,500 for the season.

Immigrant Voices: Oregon immigrants tell their stories about why they came to America (video)Immigrant Voices is a series that tells the stories of immigrants to America and to Oregon. They are Moima Doe from Liberia, Lilya Yevseyeva from Russia and Mani Bharati from Bhutan.

When I first moved here, I was scared. It is much different from Nepal. I didn't even know how to use the crosswalks on the streets or how to take the bus.
Now, I am used to it, but I still have a lot to learn.
Friends have told me I would have an easier time finding a job in other states, but we can't afford to move and my kids like it here.
My disabled daughter begs me to get the nice decorations she sees when she goes to other people's homes. I try to make her happy by decorating the house with teddy bears and streamers on the ceiling. She doesn't understand why we don't have anything.
I hope someday we will. It is hard to imagine going back home because Bhutan is still in unrest. In the meantime, I am working to learn English so I can apply for citizenship. I will also think about my kids and what they want to do. If our future is good over here, we will stay.
--Kelly House