Jigmi Wangdi

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) emerged triumphant, securing a resounding victory over the other four participating parties in Paro yesterday.

The electoral landscape witnessed PDP’s dominance in key constituencies, particularly in Dokar-Shaba, where they clinched the lead with an impressive tally of 3,903 votes. This mandate included 772 postal votes and 3,131 votes from the electronic voting machine (EVM).

Similarly, the Lamgong-Wangchag constituency witnessed a PDP triumph, garnering a majority vote of 3,491. Within this count, 656 postal votes and 2,835 EVM votes contributed to the party’s success.

Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa emerged as the second-highest vote accumulator after PDP, securing 2,654 votes in Dokar-Shaba and 1,709 votes in Lamgong-Wangchag.

Comparing these results to the 2018 National Elections, PDP’s growth is evident. In the Dokar-Shaba constituency, PDP’s vote count surged from 2,389 in 2018 to an impressive 3,903 in 2024. Similarly, in Lamgong-Wangchag, the party’s support rose from 2,081 to 3,491 votes over the same period.

Postal ballots played a crucial role in these elections, with Dokar-Shaba accepting a total of 1,399 postal ballots and Lamgong-Wangchag receiving 1,467.

Paro boasts a significant voting population, with 21,313 eligible voters. Among them, 11,188 are female voters, reflecting a healthy participation of women in the democratic process.

PDP’s decisive victory underscores a shifting electoral dynamic in Paro, shaping the region’s political trajectory. The party’s success, particularly in key constituencies, not only solidifies its standing but also reflects the evolving preferences of the electorate in this vibrant democratic process.