Thukten Zangpo 

The Office of the Media Arbitrator (OMA) has taken action on nine complaints received against the Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the National Assembly general elections until December 24.

The office took action on five complaints against BTP and four against PDP.

Against BTP, the OMA issued a written warning and imposed a fine of Nu 15,000 to an individual, Tshewang for spreading false information, defaming, and inciting regionalism. 

At the same time, the OMA issued a written warning to Tshering Choden for spreading false information, and defamatory remarks directed to the PDP’s Boomdeling-Jamkhar candidate. 

While Dechen Peldon was issued a written warning for defamatory remarks and hate messages against the North-Thimphu PDP candidate and accusing the PDP of buying votes in the primary round and Sangay for use of the word ‘gunda’ against PDP’s Kanglung-Samkhar-Udzorong candidate respectively.  

In another case, the BTP’s Deothang-Gomdar candidate, Tshering Penjor was issued a written warning for campaigning during the ‘no campaign’ period. Bumpa also got a written warning for third-party advertising during the ‘no campaign’ period. 

At the same time, Sangay Lhendup was issued a written warning for third-party advertisement by a civil servant. 

Against PDP, the OMA issued a written warning and imposed a fine of Nu 15,000 to an individual, Chencho Dorji for repeated sharing of videos and screen recordings which contained hate speech and defamatory remarks in various WeChat groups even after continuous reminders and warnings conveyed by the Dzongkhag Social Media Monitor. 

Similarly, an individual, Namgay was also issued a written warning and imposed a fine of Nu 15, 000 for spreading false and unsubstantiated information in a WeChat group named “Gangtey Gewog PDP” whereby he claimed that vote cast could later be traced using CID card thus coercing innocent voters to vote for PDP. 

At the same time, two individuals, Rinchen Zangpo and Tandin Penjor were issued a written warning for third-party advertising, hate messages, and defamatory remarks against BTP and defamatory remarks, hate messages and personal attacks against BTP’s president respectively.

Meanwhile, the Mongar Dzongkhag Dispute Settlement Body fined a supporter of the Bhutan Tendrel Party in Ngatshang gewog on December 24.

Tashi Tobgay, 48, who is a registered member of the political party, was fined Nu 15,000.

He was found serving lunch to more than 80 people on Friday in a restaurant after the BTP president’s campaign meeting.

Section 7.2.2 of the Rules on Elections Conduct 2022 prohibits political parties, candidates, and individuals from serving meals or carrying out activities that may benefit or damage the electoral prospects of any party or candidate.