Nim Dorji | Bumthang

The office of the returning officer (RO) of Chhoekhor-Tang constituency dispatched electronic voting machines (EVM) to the 11 polling stations yesterday.

Forty-four polling officials and 54 security officials also reached the polling stations in the two gewogs of Chhoekhor and Tang, including the two polling stations in Chamkhar town yesterday.

The officials were provided with hand sanitisers and face shields.

RO’s office in Chamkhar and assistant returning officer (ARO) in Perth, Australia, would segregate postal ballot envelope A and B today.

As of yesterday, RO office received more than 90 percent of the postal ballots.

According to the RO, Dr Jambay Dorji, there would be 1,530 postal ballots including 133 from overseas if all ballots get accepted. “Today is the last day to receive the postal ballots and all ballots should reach before 5pm.”

Dzongkhag chief election coordinator said that unlike in the past, the voters did not register for postal ballot this time. “The officials visited all the chiwogs twice to collect data of people staying within and outside the country to ensure all the people participate in the election.”

The official said all the people were called and given a preference to choose for the postal ballot or to come in person to vote in their respective gewogs.

The ARO in Australia will count the ballots in front of the two representatives of the candidates and will be sent to the office of the RO in Bumthang.

Dr Jambay Dorji said that on the poll day, the voting will start at 8am until 4pm. “All voters have to follow Covid-19 safety protocols.”

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