Phuentsholing, Chukha

Registered voters: 12,575 | Male: 6,281 | Female: 6,294

Maita Raj Rai

Age: 33

Work experience: 10 years of work experience in customer service, survey and mapping

Education: B.com degree

One saying or proverb that best describes your life?

Try and try until you succeed. The reason why many people fail to succeed in life is because they stop after they fail. 

Your party symbol is elephant, how well does your personality match with the elephant?

Elephants are important ecosystem engineers. They make pathways in dense forested habitat that allow passage for other animals. Similar to that, I am coming forward and taking part as a candidate so that our youth can also take part in future.

You were a in a different profession earlier. Why politics now? 

In a democracy, people’s voices should be heard and everyone should be empowered to take active part in the nation’s development. I believe in social justice and equal opportunity.

As the industrial and commercial capital of Bhutan, and as the country’s economic nerve centre, I believe that Phuentsholing has still vast potential for growth as well as to support growth in other parts of the country. 

What do you say about your opponent? Which area do you think he requires improvement? 

Nothing. He is good in his own way.

What makes you confident that the voters would vote for you with the same support as in the primary round? 

I am young and energetic youth who always think beyond 5 years. Given the opportunity, there are lot to be done.

Your priority for your constituency if elected?

Resolve the issue of load shedding during summer with relevant agencies. Streamline the entry and exit protocol at Phuentsholing terminal and blacktopping of gewog and chiwog roads with GSB for farm roads are my top priority. 

Easy flow of drugs through the porous borders is one of the main issues facing our youth as much as unemployment is. What solutions have you thought of?

Youth unemployment is the main causes of drug inflow. So, creating job opportunities is the solution. We have many pledges for youth such as: assisting unemployed youth to re-skill, retrain and re-equip with 21st century skill in partnership with the private sector for 100 percent employability within and outside the country, strengthen conducive ecosystem for entrepreneurs, launch and operate ‘One Stop Career Centre’ under the Prime Minister’s Office to facilitate youth employment in collaboration with the relevant ministries and conduct “Job Fair” on a regular basis to connect employers and job seekers. Moreover, it facilitates the gig economy to build digital skills. 

Rinzin Dorji

Age: 47

Work experience: Served as the MP of Phuentshogling constituency from 2013 to 2018

Education: B.Com degree

One saying or proverb that best describes your life?

I’ve been guided by the wisdom of ‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.’ It’s a constant reminder that humility and service lead to genuine connections and meaningful change.

Your party symbol is horse, how well does your personality match with the horse?

The horse symbolizes strength, resilience, and a drive for progress, qualities that resonate deeply with my approach. I strive to embody these traits in my service to my constituents, consistently pushing forward for the betterment of our community.

You were in a different profession earlier and have served as MP already. Why politics again?

Having been a businessman, I’ve directly experienced the pulse of our society. I’ve seen the challenges individuals face and the potential for positive change. Transitioning into politics is a natural progression for me to further contribute and enact meaningful, systemic changes that benefit everyone.

What do you say about your opponent? Which area do you think he requires improvement? 

An aspiring politician.

What makes you confident that the voters would vote for you with the same support as in the primary round?

The overwhelming support received in the primary round was humbling. I’m confident that our consistent dialogue with constituents, our comprehensive plans addressing community needs, and the demonstrated commitment to follow through on promises will garner continued support in the general election.

Your priority for your constituency if elected.

If elected, my primary focus will be on bolstering educational opportunities, fostering sustainable economic growth, and enhancing healthcare accessibility within our constituency. These foundational pillars are crucial for our community’s prosperity.

Easy flow of drugs through the porous borders is one of the main issues facing our youth as much as unemployment is. What solutions have you thought of?

Combating drug flow and unemployment demands a multifaceted approach. Strengthening border surveillance in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, promoting vocational training for job creation, and implementing youth engagement programs to redirect focus towards productive endeavours are among the strategies I propose. Additionally, community-driven initiatives and counselling services can aid in combating substance abuse while fostering a more resilient and skilled workforce.