The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) declared its 47th and the last candidate, the former managing director of Bhutan Power Corporation (BPC), Gem Tshering yesterday.

With this the party has declared 29 new candidates contesting the elections this year. The party has also replaced 15 serving MPs, two replacing the speaker and Deothang-Gomdar MP, Migbo Dukpa, whose age would not permit them to contest the elections.

While the Opposition currently occupies 14 seats in the National Assembly, the PDP has also declared all candidates from these constituencies.

Gem Tshering will contest from Dokar-Sharpa constituency in Paro, replacing the current MP, Kezang Wangmo. Gem Tshering has MSc. in Energy Planning and Policy from AIT, Thailand and served both in the civil service and the corporate sector for about 34 years.

“In archery, the best player is the last one to shoot. We have a similar situation here,” PDP president and prime minister Tshering Tobgay said referring to the portfolio of Gem Tshering.

“I am joining politics and as a candidate of PDP to offer my services to the people of my constituency and the people of Bhutan. It is an opportunity to serve Tsawa-Sum by directly engaging in the democratic process and contributing to nation building,” said Gem Tshering.

While declaring his candidature, Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay said without his leadership, electrification in Soe, Naro, Lingzhi, Merak and Saken would not be possible. The Prime Minister said that their new Dokar-Sharpa candidate is behind all the policies and system in the power sector.

The Prime Minister claimed that the PDP has the most capable candidates and that these credible candidates with proven track record are willing to join the party because of what the PDP has achieved in five years.

The experience of the party, he said carries weight and more than that he said good candidates are asset to the party. He added that the party has trust and confidence of the people for what it has achieved. “So, as party president, it becomes my responsibility to choose and field the best,” Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay said.

He, however, said that the ultimate decision lies with people.

Tshering Dorji

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