Phub Dem | Paro

Out of 276 candidates contesting for the local government (LG) posts in Haa and Paro, 51 women are competing for various posts. Most of the female candidates, 45 of them, are vying for the tshogpa’s seat.

A former tshogpa candidate from Hoongrelkha-Jangsarbu, Yuden, is contesting for the mangmi post after serving as a tshogpa for two terms. She said that she has the experience and knowledge of the role of the LG posts, adding that it is time to serve the entire gewog.

“I want to encourage other women and youths to take part in the LG elections and serve the community,” she said.

She said that a woman could mediate issues properly and was confident about bringing development in the gewog.

Another candidate contesting for gup’s post said that people believed in empowering women and supported their decision. She said that people should get rid of outdated social norms and support the potential candidate. “There is no female gup from Haa and Paro. It is time to set a new trend and encourage other women.”

She added that men and women have equal rights and opportunities, and that women’s participation in a leadership role is essential and could bring immense change in society.

Paro has 170 candidates contesting in the third LG elections. With the completion of the dhamngoi zomdu, the dzongkhag has 33 candidates vying for the gup’s post and 34 for the mangmi’s position in 10 gewogs.

There are 102 tshogpa candidates from 47 chiwogs. Each chiwog from Lungyni, Shaba, and Dop-Shari are without a tshogpa candidate after the candidates withdrew voluntarily or were disqualified due to party affiliation.

There are three female candidates for the gup’s position, three for mangmi, 29 for tshogpa, and one for thromde ngotshab (representative).

Except for Tsento, Hungrel,, and Doteng, the other seven former gups in Paro contested in the dhamngoi zomdu. Former gups of Naja and Wangchang were not nominated during the zomdus. There are 28 new gup contestants.

According to an election official from Paro, there were no disqualifications due to complaints. However, about eight aspirants were disqualified due to party affiliation, and one withdrew voluntarily.

Meanwhile, in Haa, around 106 candidates are contesting for various LG posts. Eighteen candidates are vying for the gup’s position, 20 for mangmi, 64 for the tshogpa’s post, and four for thromde representative. There is no female candidate for gup’s post.

Two female candidates will contest for Katsho gewog’s mangmi post, and 13 women will contest for tshogpa’s post from across the dzongkhag.

A new gup candidate said the local government should develop the least developed communities still deprived of basic amenities such as roads, water and electricity. He said that people were expecting change, and it was time to provide choices to the voters.

Edited by Tshering  Palden