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Tomorrow is the big day for Bhutan. After hundred years of absolute monarchy, the country is going to observe the establishment of a democratic government for the first time. Bhutan is going to observe its first general election.

First let us look at the country. Bhutan is a small country in the Himalayan region situated between two bigger countries- India and China. With a population of about 7million, the country strictly observes its traditional customs and culture. Though it is one of the least developed countries in the world, it is also the happiest countries in the world. Unlike other countries, Bhutan’s government focuses on Gross National Happiness (GNH). In 2006, it was ranked the 8^th happiest country in the world. For a long time, Bhutan remained an alienated nation. It does not allow too many tourists. The government does not allow rapid industrialization in fear of pollution. Still, poverty is not so serious a problem in Bhutan like other South Asian countries.

Instead of clouds of pollution rising from corrugated iron roofing, there are thin wraiths of cloud hanging above thick conifer slopes. Instead of bare, deforested hills with landslips and erosion, there are great ranges of mountains clad with virgin deodar forests.

These fall through terraces of maize and wheat, punctuated with flapping prayer flags and windbreaks of cypress, to verdant valleys filled with clear mountain streams and roads shaded by poplar avenues.

Instead of the abject poverty of much of Nepal, there is gentle prosperity in this country of 600,000 people. There are no beggars and unemployment is low.  

I think this excerpt best describes Bhutan’s condition as a country. 

Monarchy:
For 101 years, Bhutan was under absolute monarchy. After 200 years political turbulence, the country was unified by Ugyen Wangchuk who became the first king of Bhutan and ruled from 1907-1926. The Wangchuk dynasty is still ruling Bhutan. Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the present king and fifth in the line of his family. Eldest of the ten children of his father, Namgyel is now overseeing the country. He will receive formal coronation after the election. 

Move toward democracy:
It was Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928 –1972), grandfather of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, who first started democratization of the country. He ended feudalism and slavery. He was also revered as the “father of modern Bhutan.” During his reign, Bhutan first started to establish relationship with other countries. His son, King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, known as the “Dragon King” continued his father’s modernization policies. Educated in UK and Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuk brought changes in various sectors of the country. He retired in December 2006. He then handed the power to his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who was 26 years old at that time.

Declaration of Election:
It was the fourth king of Bhutan, King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, who declared the general election to be held. In 1998, he intentionally reduced his power and in 2001, he ordered to work on the country’s constitution. The rough draft of the constitution with 34 points was published in 2005. In April 2007, the king issued a decree which put up the ban on political parties and ordered for the parliamentary election. The news shocked the countrymen and many even wept in front of the king to resume his duty.  

The new government:
Under the new rule, the absolute monarchy will become a constitutional monarchy. King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, will remain the head of the state but the executive power will be vested upon the council of ministers. Legislative power will be exercised by the government and National Assembly. 

About the election:
As declared by the King, the election process started from January, 2008. Here is the election schedule:

17 Jan 2008 - Issue of Notification by the Election Commission

22 Jan 2008 - Commencement of Submission of Letter of Intent by Political Parties

22 Jan 2008 - Release of Party Menifestos by Political Parties

22 Jan 2008 - Commencement of the Election Campaign

31 Jan 2008 - Commencement of Filing of Nomination of Candidates

7 Feb 2008 - Last date for Nomination of Candidates

7 Feb 2008 - Commencement of Sponsored Debates of Candidates

1 Mar 2008 - Last Date for Receipt of Postal Ballot Application Forms [EXTENDED]

22 Mar 2008 - End of the Election Campaign

24 Mar 2008 - POLL DAY

24 Mar 2008- Counting of Results

25 Mar 2008-Declaration of Results & Submission of Results to His Majesty the King

According to the law, if any candidate wins the election, he/she would resign from their former jobs and if they lose they will resume their previous duty.

In April, 2007, a mock election was held to give the people an idea about the election. Four parties, Druk Yellow Party, Druk Red Party, Druk Blue Party, and Druk Green Party competed in the election. The yellow dragon won the election.

The Political parties:

Two political parties are running for the election; Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT), or Bhutan United Party and the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) has been formed by the merger of two parties: Bhutan People's United Party and All People's Party. All People’s Party was led by Khandu Wangchuk.

Another party, known as the Bhutan National Party (BNP) submitted for registration but it was cancelled.   

Both the political parties have more or less the same manifesto. Continuing Bhutan’s progress based on “Gross National Happiness,” efficient bureaucracy, improving the health sector, building bridges over the rivers and so on.   

Both the party leaders served as ministers under the king and have good record as ministers.  

DPT has five candidates who served as ministers under the king. On the contrary, PDP candidates are younger and well educated people like doctors, engineers, businessmen.  

Meet the Party Leaders:

Name: Sangay Ngedup

Party: People Democratic Party (PDP)

Age: 58

Profile: Sangay Ngedup is the brother of one of the four wives of the former King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuk. He is running as a candidate from a district of Puakha valley.

Political career: Sangay served as the Prime Minister of Bhutan two times. He also served as agriculture, health and education minister. As the head of the agriculture ministry, he walked all over the country and assisted farmers. His record as a minister has made him a popular candidate especially, among older and rural voters.

Name: Jigmi Thinley

Party: Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT)

Political career: He is one of the master minds behind the conception of “Gross National Happiness.” Like Sangay, Jigmi also served as the Prime Minister of Bhutan two times. He also served as the foreign minister. Jigmi is considered as a highly intellectual person with fair judgment. The main advantage of DPT is that none of people are connected to the royal family. “DPT is a party of ordinary people” this is one of Jigmi’s slogans.

The people are not satisfied with democracy:

Sounds unbelievable but believe it. Many people of Bhutan are not happy with this new system. For years, Bhutan has been ruled by kings and they were looked up as gods. So far, the Kings were not much corrupted and worked toward the betterment of the people.

A little over a year ago, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck announced he was abdicating his throne and decreed that his remote Buddhist kingdom should become a constitutional democracy. Putting power in the people's hands, he said, was a sign of his confidence in them and would give the tiny mountain nation sandwiched between India and China long-term stability and a stronger position in a modern, globalizing world. Bhutan's fate, he said, should not be left in the hands of one man chosen by birth, not merit.

Bhutan's people did not cheer."It was a bit of a shock," said Lynpo Sonam Tobgye, the chief justice of Bhutan's supreme court and the reluctant lead author of the country's new constitution. In a region of South Asia where democracy has often brought as much strife as peace and progress, "politics is not much venerated," he said.

In the beginning, candidates had to explain people “what is democracy?” and the parties’ goals.

One of the major reasons people are not happy with democracy is the problems faced by their neighboring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan after democracy has been established. Till now, there has been no serious criminal activities or political instabilities in Bhutan. Many are afraid that a democratic government may start up corruption and mis-management in Bhutan. Nepal has a democratic government but it is facing immense problems with the Communist party. Pakistan and Bangladesh are also in a dilapidated condition. Looking at these countries many people have become doubtful about the positive effects of democracy.

Many are speculating that looking at the terrible fall of Nepal’s monarchy, the King has decided to handover the power to the people. After retiring, the king moved away from the palace with his wives. He now plays tennis and gives advice to his son.

Criticizing and mal-practice:
During the campaign, the candidates of both parties criticized and brought allegations against each other which worries many people. Under the rule of the king, such problems did not arise. Complains about candidates bribing voters also came.

I think Bhutan’s King has taken the right decision. History of many countries  show that absolute monarchy causes lots of troubles. So far, the kings of Bhutan have been honest and patriotic. What if the future king is not so competent or honest? In that case, representatives elected by the government can take over the control of the country and restore peace and stability.

Want to know more?
If you want to get more information about Bhutan election you can check the official website of the election commission of Bhutan: http://www.election-bhutan.org.bt/

You can also check out the following wikipedia pages:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elections_in_Bhutan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhutanese_general_election,_2008

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Bhutan

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Telegraph.co.uk (2005 report)

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