Chang gewog nominates incumbent NC representative

Securing 201 yes votes, Thimphu’s incumbent National Council (NC) representative Nima Gyaltshen was nominated from Chang gewog at the Dhamngoi zomdu (nomination meeting) yesterday.

Nima Gyaltshen secured 21 no votes. Of the total 809 eligible registered voters, 222 voters turned up to cast their votes, of which, 117 were females and 105 males voters.

Speaking to the voters, he said he would continue to serve the country with the dedication and without bias.

Most voters said that although they would choose the best candidate on poll day, it would be important to support the aspiring candidate contesting from their gewog.

A 73-year old Aechi Dema from Hontsho, which is about 12km from gewog centre made sure to hitch a ride early morning and travel to the gewog centre to cast her vote.

“I don’t know much but I know that our country lies between two big countries and that NC would make a difference in coming up with the laws and policies that would benefit our country’s security,” Aechi Dema said. “We want to make sure that we’ve a good NC representative and a government that would treat all equally.”

Another voter, a farmer, Pema Dorji, 56, said he wanted to make sure he cast his votes to utilise his right to vote and will make sure to vote on poll day.

Most voters made sure to come before 3pm as the zomdu timing was scheduled between 9am to 3pm, even though they missed the morning session where the candidate is introduced and voters briefed on the NC election.

With this Thimphu has completed its first NC dhamngoi zomdu. Ther are about 10 aspiring NC candidates as of today from Thimphu. Thimphu thromde, with four has the highest number of aspirants.

Of the eight gewogs and Thimphu thromde, four gewogs, Darkala, Lingzhi, Soe, and Naro do not have a candidate yet. Thimphu thromde has 7,667 voters, the highest according to the draft electorate roll. Soe gewog has the least with 160.

Dzongkhag election officer Chencho Gyeltshen said that aspirants can declare their candidacy at the eleventh hour.

“Registration is not compulsory for NC before the zomdu and one can declare on the day of zomdu,” he said.

The dzongkhag would complete its dhamngoi zomdu for eight gewogs and dzongkhag thromde by March 13. The last zomdu would be conducted in Naro gewog where another team is already in station.

Thimphu has 14,209 eligible registered voters. Of which 6,696 are females and 7,513 are males.

However, Chencho Gyeltshen said the number of eligible voters could change because people can still register to vote until March 21.

The Dhamngoi zomdu would be conducted in Darkarla gewog today. There is no aspring candidate from the gewog so far. The gewog has 467 eligible registered voters.

Yangchen C Rinzin

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