People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won 79,883 of the 291,098 votes cast in 47 constituencies across the country yesterday. This is roughly 27 percent of the total votes cast. But it lost its chance to either form a government or to stand as an opposition in the Parliament.

Although the party cannot contest in the general round of National Assembly election, PDP is eligible for state funding for the next election.

PDP in all got 56,180 EVM votes and 23,703 postal votes.

PDP president, Tshering Tobgay, said the people of Bhutan had spoken.

“I would like to congratulate the President of Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa and the President of Druk Phuensum Tshogpa and all the candidates of the two parties for their outstanding performance in the primary round of Bhutan’s third parliamentary election. I would also like to congratulate the President of Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party and all their candidates for taking part in this important election,” he wrote yesterday on his Facebook page.

On behalf of PDP, he expressed his gratitude to all his party supporters. “Most importantly, I would like to thank every Bhutanese for taking part in the election process by responsibly exercising your franchise gifted to us by our benevolent Monarchs…People’s Democratic Party graciously accepts their decision. The will of the people must prevail in a democracy. I wish Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa and Druk Phuensum Tshogpa all the best in the general elections.”

On August 6, 2007, PDP became the first registered political party in Bhutan after formally submitting its application for registration. This was the time when the country was transitioning to a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy.

MB Subba | Sarpang