The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) declared seven more candidates for the upcoming elections yesterday.

The former information and communications minister, Nandalal Rai will contest from Shompangkha Constituency in Sarpang. He served in the Royal Bhutan Army before contesting the 2008 elections as a Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) candidate.

PDP has also declared their candidates from both the constituencies in Pemagatshel, where the party had never won a single seat to date.

The party has fielded an educationist and a former Drungpa, who is also an educationist, to break the trend.

Former Gelephu Drungpa, Sonam Tshering will contest from Khar-Yurung constituency and former principal of Yangchenphu Higher Secondary School, Karma Drukpa (PhD) from Nanong-Shumar Constituency.

Sonam Tshering served in the education sector for 19 years. He also served as Dzongrab of Bumthang for six years and as Drungpa of Gelephu for three years.

Karma Drukpa (PhD) has spent 27 years working in the education sector.

The former registrar of Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMBS) Tashi Tobgay (PhD) is PDP’s candidate from Bumdeling-Jamkhar constituency in Trashiyangtse. He also served as the Directorof KGUMSB for four years as Pharmacist and Chief Pharmacist at JDWNRH for 10 years.

Replacing labour minister, Ngeema Sangay Tshempo, is Chandra Bdr Gurung, the former assistant auditor general, who will contest from Lhamoi Dzingkha –Tashiding constituency in Dagana.

Chandra Gurung worked for 19 years at the Royal Audit Authority.

PDP also declared Mani Pradhan as their new candidate from Ugyentse–Yoeseltse Constituency in Samtse. He will replace the current MP Madan Kumar Chettri.

Mani Pradhan worked in the civil service for 17 years before resigning to start his own business. He was the head of computer support center under the erstwhile Planning Commission and one of the first IT graduates in the country.

The party’s general secretary, Sonam Jatso, will contest for the Gangzur-Minjey seat from Lhuntse. He worked in the civil service and the private sector before joining politics. He served as the General Secretary of PDP from 2009 to 2011 and from 2013 to 2018.

“Their diverse experiences, qualification and leadership credentials have further strengthened our party, enriching our already talented pool of candidates who will be contesting in the 2018 elections,” a press release from the party stated.

To garner a credible pool of leaders, it also stated that PDP has consulted and discussed with the constituents and supporters to select and field the most abled candidates for the 47 constituencies.

Tshering Dorji