KP Sharma

Thimphu dzongkhag has nominated two candidates for the National Council elections.

A former teacher, Leki Tshering from Ge-nyen gewog will contest against former National Council member Nima Gyeltshen from Chang gewog.

Of the three aspiring candidates from Thimphu, the two made through the dhamngoi zomdu that ended on March 7.

The lone candidate from Ge-nyen gewog, Leki Tshering secured 182 Yes votes and 14 No votes.

The 43-year-old former teacher graduated from Paro College of Education and taught for about 10 years. He later worked in the private sector for about five years.

A total of 192 voters, 89 males and 107 females from Ge-nyen attended the zomdu on February 26.

From Chang gewog, Nima Gyeltshen secured 164 votes against his opponent, a former Thimphu dzongdag, Dorji Tshering who secured 151 votes.

The 38-year-old has a bachelor’s degree in Social and Legal Science from Pune University.

He served as the National Council member of Thimphu from 2013-2018. He worked in tourism for about three years.

A total of 315 voters, 143 males and 172 females from Chang gewog voted in dhamngoi zomdu on March 2.

As per the record with the returning officer, Thimphu has eight gewogs and a thromde but it has candidates from only two gewogs.

More than 700 voters attended the dhamngoi zomdu in Thimphu according to the Returning Officer.

The two nominated candidates from dhamngoi zomdu would now contest the upcoming NC election scheduled on April 20.

As per the Election Commission of Bhutan’s schedule, the nominated candidates from dhamngoi zomdu should file their nomination before March 11 for formalities to start their election campaign.

Thimphu had five candidates in 2018 and three in 2013 respectively.