Trashigang has highest number of constituencies, with 5 seats in the National Assembly, followed by Samtse (4 seats), Mongar and Pema Gatshel (3 seats each).
THIMPHU: Bhutan’s transition from monarchy to parliamentary democracy got yet another boost, with the country announcing it will have 47 constituencies whose members will be elected to the National Assembly in the first general elections in 2008.
“The Delimitation Commission of Bhutan is pleased to announce that ... the total number of National Assembly seats in the 20 dzongkhags (districts) is 47,” Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, Bhutan’s chief election commissioner, said.
The district of Trashigang has the highest number of constituencies, with five seats in the National Assembly, followed by Samtse with four seats, Mongar and Pema Gatshel with three seats each. The remaining 16 districts will have two seats each. There would be an estimated 10,000 voters in each of the constituencies.
The completion of the delimitation exercise has formally set the ball rolling for registration of political parties for the elections. The kingdom will shift from monarchy to parliamentary democracy after the elections in 2008. “Those joining politics can now nominate their candidates and plan their strategies according to the constituencies. On the basis of the constituencies, political parties will also be formed,” said the Kuensel, Bhutan’s national newspaper.
Former king Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicated the throne in December in favour of his eldest son, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, 26. The transition began six years ago when the former king handed over the powers of daily government to a council of ministers and empowered the National Assembly to force a royal abdication if three quarters of its membership backed the motion.
Bhutan in 2004 year unveiled a 34-point constitution and the same was sent to some 5,30,000 citizens for their views. The constitution is to be ratified after a referendum. Once adopted, the constitution will replace a royal decree of 1953 giving the monarch absolute power.
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