Unlike other aspiring National Council (NC) candidates, Toedwang gewog’s NC candidates had to wait until 7pm yesterday to know their dhamngoi zomdu results.

With 906 voters turning up to cast their votes, Toedwang gewog saw the maximum voter turnout at the zomdu in Punakha.

A former teacher and Druk Phuensum Tshogpa’s (DPT) 2008-2013 Member of Parliament (MP), Namgay Wangchuk from Tshachuphu village, won securing 560 votes in his favour.

His opponent, a former forest officer and a lecturer of the then Natural Resources Training Institute (NRTI), Ugyen Tenzin, secured 346 votes.

By afternoon, officials faced problems managing the crowd and had to request for additional police personnel. The voting time was also extended to 7pm.

A few elderly people in the gewog struggled to cast their votes and election officials had to explain the procedures and methods.

Karma Tshomo, 71, from Dawakha village said that although she didn’t have an issue while casting her vote, it was difficult standing in the queue. “I came here to cast my vote as early as possible.”

She said that it is important to vote for someone who would benefit the people.

Toedwang gewog has about 1,567 registered voters.

Meanwhile, according to data maintained by the election officials, 181 voter cards were issued on the spot, the highest in the dzongkhag.

Punakha will complete its gewog zomdu today after conducting the zomdu in Goenshari and Shenga-Bjime gewogs.

There are no candidates in these two gewogs.

Phurpa Lhamo | Punakha