Chhimi Dema and Nima

During the scrutiny of nomination papers for the thromde election for tshogpa yesterday, it was found that two candidates had party affiliation and one had criminal records. They were disqualified effectively. 

The Office of Returning Officer in Gelephu Thromde disqualified two candidates out of 13 nominations. Gelephu Thromde had the highest number of thromde tshogpa candidates.

The returning officer for Gelephu Thromde, Needup, said that a disqualified candidate was the lone candidate from Trashiling demkhong (constituency). Aspiring candidate from Samdrupling could not produce her security clearances for election purposes. The aspiring candidate was convicted for a criminal offence in the past, according to sources.

Trashiling demkhong that includes one of the important establishments, Industrial Service Centre, in Gelephu thromde would continue to be without a tshogpa.

Trashiling was represented by an officiating tshogpa for the past seven months elected by the thromde. The officiating tshogpa was rejected during the scrutiny of nominations.

Aspiring candidate, Passang Dorji, said that he was not aware of his membership with a political, as the party lost the election in the primary round a few years ago.

“I did not renew the membership for the past three years and I thought that my membership would become outdated by default,” he said.

He added that it was a big loss for the people because he was the lone candidate from the demkhong. “Many things are left out when there is no tshogpa representing the demkhong,” said Passang Dorji. “It’s a big lesson. I declared that I was not a member of any political party while signing the undertaking. I had no idea about my affiliation with the party.”

With the two disqualified, 11 candidates will now contest from the six. 

The nominee from Samdrupling and was rejected yesterday, Dhan Maya Dhimal, said that she applied for general security clearance and it was approved.

“I did not know that I have to apply for election purpose. I came to know about it at the last minute. I tried till 4pm yesterday but failed. I had to give up,” she said. “I  am without work for over a year.”  

Gelephu thromde has 1,542 registered voters, the highest from Namkhaling demkhong, according to the election commission’s final electoral roll for dzongkhag thromde. 

A total of 27 candidates are contesting in the upcoming thromde election as tshogpa. There are eight women candidates.

The only woman candidate from Motithang Demkhong in Thimphu was disqualified as well. She was disqualified for having affiliation with a political party.

Eight candidates are contesting in the Thromde Tshogpa election for Thimphu.

Phuentsholing Thromde has eight candidates for the Thromde Tshogpa position. Rinchhending and Pakerzhing demkhongs have two tshogpa candidates each standing for the election.