Six men and a woman tshogpa were elected in the seven chiwogs of Gasa, Wangdue and Punakha on April 18.

Uesagang chiwog in Dangchu, Wangdue elected 62-year-old Yangka as their new tshogpa with 50 votes over 34-year-old Karma Choden who had secured 38 votes. Yangka is the oldest tshogpa elected in Wangdue.

Yangka said the people asked him to run for the post since many young ones were not willing to participate. He was the chiwog tshogpa from 2005 to 2006. The father of three, lives with his wife in Uesagang and hopes to raise the need to reconstruct Garay Goenpa Lhakhang, as pledged during his election campaign recently.

In Lembi chiwog of Kazhi, the lone candidate Kinley Gyeltshen, 26, won the election with 90 “Yes” votes over 14 “No” votes. Kinley studied until class III and became a monk for two years. After leaving the monastery, he has been working and looking after his parents in the village. “I wish to contribute to the community and serve the people,” Kinley said.

Meanwhile, Pangomo chiwog in Lingmukha, Punakha elected 28-year-old Dawa Zam as their tshogpa. The mother of one said she had wanted to contest in the local government election after five years. But with no candidates coming forward, the people and her friends urged her to contest.

She plans to help the chiwog in resolving their drinking water, irrigation and electric fencing issues. Dawa was the lone candidate and won with 41 “Yes” votes against 16 “No” votes.

Bjimithang chiwog in Dzomi gewog elected 35-year-old Namgay Tenzin after securing 71 votes against his opponents Namgay Bidha’s six  and Phub Tshering’s 63 votes.

The Tanag-uesa chiwog in Dzomi, Punakha has elected 40-year-old Kencho.

In Gasa, both the vacant tshogpa posts in Laya gewog were filled. Pazhi chiwog elected its lone candidate Pema Wangchuk with 84 “Yes” votes against 16 “No” votes. While the people of Gyalza-Loongo chiwog in Laya elected 34-year-old Wangay with 59 votes against his opponent Pema Tenzin who won 36 votes.

Dawa Gyelmo