Dechen Dolkar 

Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) and Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) have declared their candidates for the upcoming Khamdang-Ramjar constituency bye-election.

DNT declared 53-year old Karma Gyeltshen, and DPT declared Jigme Tashi, 34-years old, as the candidates for the Khamdang-Ramjar constituency bye-election in Trashiyangtse.

Karma Gyeltshen contested during the 2018 parliamentary elections and lost to former MP Kuenga Loday by 781 votes.

Prior to joining DNT, Karma Gyeltshen worked in State Trading Corporation of Bhutan Ltd as a general manager. He has a Master’s Degree in Business Management from Kaplan Business School, Melbourne, Australia.

Prior to the bye-election, he was working as a private consultant for those exporting boulders. He said that he never anticipated the bye-election.

“I contested for the bye-election because if I get elected, I can bring about some change, as I am from the ruling government,” he said.




DPT’s candidate Jigme Tashi is a former lecturer of Taktse College of Language and Cultural Studies.

He graduated with a BA in Bhutanese and Himalayan Studies in 2015. He was a history lecturer for five years, and also a class advisor. He has published several academic research articles.

He also worked as a counsellor and manager at an education consultancy firm.

Apart from his academic training in cultural studies, he is a certified cultural tour guide.

As a student in college, he served as a secretary to the Youth Initiative for Democratic Society, and as a core member of the media team, and he won the best English Speaker’s award.




However, the candidate could not be contacted, as his phone was off.

Poll day for the bye-election of the Khamdang-Ramjar constituency will be held on February 3.

The last day for filing the nomination of candidates is on January 8 and the election campaign will begin from January 11 to February 1.

The Khamdang-Ramjar constituency post was left vacant after former MP Kuenga Loday resigned on November 15 of last year.