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

The party has found new candidates for both the constituencies in Samdrupjongkhar. 

Replacing the current Dewathang-Gomdar MP, Mingbo Dukpa, who will not be contesting because of the age limit, the party has chosen former general secretary of Construction Association of Bhutan and an urban planner, Wangdi Gyeltshen.

Dr Lobzang Dorji is the new PDP candidate from Jomotshangkha-Martshala constituency. He will replace the current MP Pelzang Wangchuk. The medical doctor has served in the government, private sector and international organisations in various capacities.

The Party has also roped in two former director generals (DG) who have also served as dzongdags.

The former DG of local governance department, Lungten Dorji will contest the from Panbang constituency in Zhemgang. He served the civil service for 27 years. Prior to his appointment as DG, he served as a dzongdag for 10 years.

The former DG of National Library and Achieves, Dorji Norbu will stand from Nganglam constituency in Pemagatshel. He also served as the director of local governance department and as a dzongdag. 

With his candidature, the party has all candidates from Pemagatshel.

The former parliament member from Kengkhar-Werringla, Sonam Penjor has hopped to PDP. He was the MP during the tenure of DPT and was replaced in the 2013 elections. 

Tobgay Tobgay (PhD), will contest from Dramedtse-Ngatshang in Mongar. He served as a senior geologist with geology and mines department for over 13 years.

The former head of forest fire management division Tandin Dorji is the PDP candidate from South Thimphu. 

On why the party declares seven candidates each time, the party’s media spokesperson said that the idea is to introduce a reasonable number of candidates so that people would know them better. This, he said is also to highlight the leadership credentials as the party believes it has a crop of credible candidates. “Seven was the number that appeared to be reasonable, not more, not less.” 

Tshering Dorji