Bhutan

Bhutan's First Local Governance Elections

27 June 2011 saw the much awaited first ever local governance elections in the country. Logistically large having to cover the remotest districts in the country the elections were peaceful with no major issues. Polling stations were set up within every two hours walking distance to ensure every one received a fair chance to vote.

Since October 2010, preparations have been ongoing to ensure qualified candidates for the positions of Gup (Block Headman) and Mangi Ap (Deputy Gup), registration of voters, functionality of the electronic voting machines (EMVs) and security.

More than 5,000 civil servants were sent to all corners of the country to function as polling officials; in addition the same numbers of police and army personnel were also deployed to ensure peace and proper conduct during the elections.

Many dzongkhags (districts) saw the electorate vote in a mix of both    old and new candidates.

UNDP visited two districts (Wangduephodrang, Punaka) and covered 5 rural polling stations. Interestingly the turnout of female voters by far outnumbered their male counterparts.

Gup Dorji Norbu of Toebisa Geog, Punakha has been elected several times in the past and has served as Gup for the last 15 years.

He stands again for the local governance elections and says if he wins victory for him will be the victory for the people of his geog. 

Hopeful and anticipated he will await the results which will be announced on live television.
Kuensel, the country's national newspaper reported that a total of 56 percent or 194, 357 voter turnout according to the Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan.

The figures according to the Bhutan Broadcasting Service announced 1, 76,713 female registered voters with 1, 71,225 male registered voters, declaring a total of 3, 47,938 people to vote for the first LG Elections.