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Bhutanese vote in historic polls

A woman displays her voter identity card as she waits in line to vote in Jaigaon, Bhutan, yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Thousands of Bhutanese went to the polls yesterday to elect a National Council, the final stage before democratic elections that would end nearly 100 years of absolute monarchy in the secluded Himalayan country.

The vote caps a whirlwind year of transformation for the tiny kingdom since the monarch declared in December 2006 he was abdicating in favor of his 26-year-old son and ushering in democracy.

In this small trading town near the border with India, dozens of people dressed in their green, blue and red checked traditional robes -- knee length for men and ankle-length for women -- lined up at a local school to cast their votes. The National Council, a small group of eminent Bhutanese, will act as an upper house after parliament is elected in February.

More than 300,000 people were expected to vote yesterday for 15 of the council's 20 elected representatives. Five more will be elected at the end of this month -- a delay caused by a lack of candidates -- and five others will be appointed by the king, said Kunzang Wangdi, Bhutan's chief election commissioner.

There were 43 candidates for the 15 spots in yesterday's vote. However, not everyone was eligible to stand for election.

Only people over 25 years of age with no party affiliation could run.

"Aside from the age, a candidate must possess a bachelor's degree from a university and must have a crime-free background," Wangdi said from the capital, Thimphu.

The council will act as conduit between the king and parliament on matters of national security and sovereignty

The elections lacked the fanfare common in other countries. There were no election posters or campaigners in the town. Voters who wanted to know more about the candidates -- in this district an actor, a school teacher and a comedian -- went to a special notice board in the town center where the candidates posted their picture and a short resume.

As in mock elections held last year, international observers from India, the US, Australia and the UN were monitoring to ensure a smooth process, Wangdi said.
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