Thirty-eight-year-old former school principal, Sangay Dorji, won Chukha’s National Council (NC) seat by considerable margin.

He secured 5,079 votes from total turnout of 15,066 voters. About 33 percent of the total voters in Chukha opted to the former educationist as their representative in the house of review.

Sangay Dorji from Gedu village in Bongo defeated his five competitors in both EVM votes and postal ballot counts. He secured 3,916 EVM votes and 1,163 postal ballots.

Hem Kumar Ghalley from Phuentsholing gewog got the second highest votes – 3,534. He secured 3,166 EVM votes and 368 postal ballots.

Incumbent Pema Tenzin from Chapcha secured 1,586 votes.

Chukha saw 61 percent voter turnout. Out of the total 24,664 registered voters, 15,066 came to exercise their franchise.

Of 3,616 postal ballots issued, only 2,735 had sent their ballots; 138 were rejected.  

Voters said they voted for the candidate who they thought could raise people’s concerns in the Parliament.

At the Pekharzhing polling station, Munna Ghalley, 33, said her candidate was perfect.

At Darla, Rudra Bahadhur Thapa, 67, had come leaving his cattle to his younger brother. He said he had no idea about the six candidates of Chukha. “I do not know any of them. I will vote one of them anyway.”

There were six NC candidates from Chukha.

Bjachhog gewog’s NC candidate, Tshewang Lhamo, who served a councillor between 2008 and 2013, secured 2,018 EVM vote and 440 postal ballots.

Kinlay Dorji of Geling gewog managed 1,516 EVM votes and 209 postal ballots. Damcho Gyeltshen from Logchhina got 584 EVM votes and 100 postal ballots.

There were 71 polling stations across Chukha. 

Rajesh Rai | Chukha