YK Poudel

National Council (NC) elections 2023 will see eight male candidates contest to become the member of NC from Samtse dzongkhag.

Dhamngoi zomdus for Samtse dzongkhag were held between February 27 and March 4 at 18 centrally located venues in the respective gewogs and dzongkhag throm.

Of the 10 aspiring candidates (including a female candidate), the voters in the gewogs nominated eight through the dhamngoi zomdu.

Of the 16 gewogs and thromdes, eight gewogs did not have nominees.

Dophoogchen gewog had two aspiring candidates. Tashi Dendup, 43, was nominated as the candidate from the gewog after securing 755 votes against Chhatrapati Phuyel’s 128 votes.

Tashi Dendup said, “I extend my heartfelt gratitude and genuine thanks to all the people of Dophuchen gewog for electing me as a candidate for the NC from Dophuchen gewog through their full support during the primary round.”

He has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from University of Canberra, Australia and B.Ed Physics and Mathematics Secondary from Samtse College of Education. He has more than 20 years of work experience in teaching and the private sector.



Norgaygang gewog also had two aspiring candidates. Ngawang Tshering, 37, secured the nomination with 620 votes against the only female aspirant, Amina Gurung who secured 341 votes.

“I look forward to similar support from the voters during the final round to address issues of our community,” he said.

Ngawang Tshering has a Masters in Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religion from Nalanda University, India. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Dzongkha and English from Sherubtse College. He served as a Dzongkhag Cultural Officer.

Pol Prasad Chapagai, 41, from Duenchhukha gewog was nominated with 205 votes, 169 Yes votes and 39 No votes. “l am immensely grateful to the voters for bestowing their trust and faith and nominating me from the gewog to participate in the nation’s call,” he said.

Pol Prasad Chapagai has a Master’s in Business Administration in Human Resources Management and Marketing. Serving as teacher in several schools, he has over 14 years of work experience.

Norboogang gewog nominated 38-year-old Subash Sharma with 406 votes.



Subash Sharma said that the dhamngoi zomdu round has been successful with the public’s support, motivation and encouragement. “I am in deep gratitude to everyone from Samtse dzongkhag for trusting me to be one of the choices in the 2023 NC election,” he said.

Subash Sharma did Masters in Business Administration and Marketing Management. He worked as an engineer at TashiCell.

With 214 votes, Chungdu Tshering, 41, is the nominee from Samtse gewog.

Chungdu Tshering said that Samtse has one of the highest populations and the public servant helping the people must be a capable candidate. “I am extremely delighted to see such support. I hope that the voters will vote for a capable and vibrant leader.”

He has a Bachelor’s degree in Language and Culture from the Institute of Language and culture Studies. He worked as reporter and TV Producer at BBS between 2005 and 2007. He participated in the NC elections 2013.

Til Chand Sharma, 35, from Samtse thromde got selected with 80 votes. “As a National Council candidate, my aspirations in the political field are to serve with integrity, honesty, and dedication,” he said.

He graduated from from RVS College of Arts and Science with a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology. He has over 10 years of work experience.



Kumar Ghalley, 37, from Pemaling gewog was nominated with 285 Yes votes and 78 No votes. He graduated with a B.Ed in Mathematics from Samtse College of Education. He served as a teacher for more than 11 years.

“Over the years, the voters have become educated on the importance of electing a capable leader. I am certain that all the eligible voters from Samtse will turn up and elect the capable leader of choice,” he said.

With 247 Yes votes and 136 No votes, Samir Giri, 45, was nominated from Tashichhoeling gewog.  “I have served in local government as Gup since 2016, and I am well connected to the needs of the local people.”

Samir Giri has a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Naresuan University, Thailand. He has over 20 years of working experience.

A total of 4,663 voters turned up to nominate candidates from the gewogs including 1,739 women.

According to Senior Election Officer, Chencho Lhamo, the five candidates have filed their nomination to the Returning Officer as of yesterday.

There are over 51,000 eligible voters in the dzongkhag. However, the final number of voters will be declared after freezing the electoral roll.

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