Seventy-three out of total of 127 National Council (NC) candidates are in their 30s, an analysis of their bio-data released by the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) show.

This means candidates in 30s comprise 57 percent. there are 19 candidates in 40s.

While 17 candidates are in their 50s, 18 in their 20s.

The youngest candidate is 25 years old and the oldest is 59.

Candidates’ bio-data, which can be viewed at http://candidates.ecb.bt/nc2018, were released for public information, particularly for postal voters.

While two candidates possess PhD, 38 have master’s degree. Eighty-seven of the total candidates have Bachelor’s degree. Among them, five have either LLB or LLM degree.

There are six women candidates, which is only 4.7 percent of the total.

Out of a total of 432,030 eligible voters for the upcoming election, 220,881 are women.

The candidates include 12 incumbent members. Fourteen had decided to recontest, but Tsirang’s Kamal Bdr Gurung and Gasa’s Sangay Khandu lost during dhamngoi zomdu.

The other incumbents who are recontesting are Nima from Bumthang, Pema Tenzin from Chukha, Tempa Dorji from Lhuentse, Sonam Wangchuk from Mongar, Dhan Bdr. Mongar from Sarpang, Nima Gyeltshen from Thimphu, Tashi Phuntsho from Tashiyangtse, Tashi Dorji from Wangdue, Tharchen from Trongsa and Pema Dakpa from Zhemgang.

Deputy chairperson Tshering Dorji and Jigme Wangchuk from Samdrupjongkhar are vying for a third term.

The election will be held on April 20.

A total of 130 aspiring candidates were nominated from the dhamngoi zomdu. Two could not make it to the election because of issues with documents and one opted out voluntarily.

Trashigang, which has 46,983 eligible voters, is the largest dzongkhag in terms of voter population. Gasa has only 2,000 voters, which is the least among the dzongkhags.

Out of the total registered voters in the country, 88,915 have registered for postal vote.

Mongar nominated 13 candidates, which is the highest in terms of selected candidates.

MB Subba

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