Neten Dorji | Trashigang

Trashiyangtse dzongkhag has five candidates vying for a seat in the National Council (NC) this election. Trashigyangtse had six candidates in 2018 NC election.

There are no female candidates from the dzongkhag.

Of the six aspirants, one candidate lost to the other candidate from the same gewog during the gewog nomination zomdu.

Tshewang Tenzin, is out of the race from Jamkhar gewog. He secured 132 votes against his opponent, Kiba Wangchuk, 44, the former Trashigang district engineer, who secured 236 votes. He has a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering from Maharishi Markandeshwar University, India.

Tshewang Tenzin and Kiba Wangchuk contested for the nomination from Jamkhar gewog, which saw the highest voter turnout.

Not many turn up to dhamngoi zomdus in Trashiyangtse dzongkhag

In Khamdang gewog, Sonam Tenzin,36, was nominated after securing 238 Yes votes and 15 No votes. He is a former general manager of Bhutan Industrial Gas. He has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Application from Madras University, India.

From Tongmijangsa, Ngawang Tashi, 40, secured 213 Yes votes and 30 No votes. He worked as a gewog administration officer and later was a businessman. He has Bachelor of Arts (General) from North Bengal University, India.It is his second time contesting for NC elections from Tongmijangsa gewog.



Yangtse gewog nominated Sonam Tshering, 61,as the gewog candidate after 202 voted Yes and 18 No. He has a Bachelor of Science from Jawaharlal Nehru University, India. He worked as a police officer before resigning to contest in the NC elections.

A 40-year-old, incumbent National Council member, Karma Gyeltshen secured 95 Yes votes and 18 No votes from Yangtse throm. He has bachelor’s degree in education from Paro College of Education.

Of the eight gewogs in the dzongkhag, Boomdeling, Toedtsho, Ramjar and Yalang gewogs do not have candidates.

A voter, Karchung, 43 said that when given a choice to choose the candidate, voters should use the opportunity since voting is important to bring about change.

Another villager, Tshewang Peldon from Bimkhar said, “We need a capable person, who benefits people and the country at large to represent us. Sometimes we feel it is least important when the candidates don’t benefit our dzongkhag.”

She said because of television and awareness through other media people are now aware of the importance of elections.



Tenzin,45, a businessman from Khamdang said compared to the first election, people are more vigilant and know whom to vote for. “The kind of candidate that wins makes a difference in shaping the future of our children and grandchildren. I feel voting is important.”

The dzongkhag dispute settlement committee has not received any complaint regarding the gewog nomination zomdus so far.

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