The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has announced 21 candidates for the upcoming National Assembly Elections. With the addition of the 21 new candidates, the PDP now has confirmed 42 candidates so far out of the 47 National Assembly constituencies.
Thirty-nine-year-old Kuenzang Thinley is the party’s candidate for Chhoekhor_Tang constituency in Bumthang. He has a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Bengaluru in India. Before joining the party, Kuenzang Thinley worked in the tourism and hospitality industry for fourteen years.
The PDP announced 64-year-old Sonam Rinchen as its candidate for Chummig_Ura constituency in Bumthang. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Pennsylvania State University in the United States. Before joining politics, he served as the Trongsa Dzongda and most recently as the senior project director of the Trans Bhutan Trail.
Sonam Dorji, 50, is the party’s candidate from Drukjeygang_Tseza constituency in Dagana. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the St. Joseph’s School in Darjeeling, India. Sonam Dorji served two terms in the National Council as the MP from Dagana between 2008 and 2018.
The PDP also declared two new candidates for Monggar.
58-year-old Sonam Penjor will contest the National Assembly Elections as the party’s candidate from Kengkhar_Werignla constituency. He holds a Master of Business Management from Australia. He was a Member of Parliament between 2008 and 2013 and worked in various private firms as managing director before joining the PDP.
For Monggar constituency, 47-year-old Sonam Dendup is the party’s candidate. He has a master’s degree in public policy from Australian National University. He recently worked as a general manager at the Dungsam Cement Corporation Limited before joining the party.
Meanwhile for Paro, 62-year-old Gem Tshering is the party’s candidate for Dokar_Sharpa constituency. He has a Master of Engineering from the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand. Before joining the party, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Bhutan Power Corporation and Pyelbar Lokchey Private Limited.
The only woman among the 21 new candidates declared yesterday is Lekden Zangmo. The 40-year-old will represent Khar_Yurung constituency in Pema Gatshel as the party’s candidate. She has a master’s degree in Buddhist philosophy from Nagarjuna University in India. Before joining the party, she served as a teacher in various schools for sixteen years.
In Samdrup Jongkhar, the PDP declared 42-year-old Younten Phuntsho as its candidate from Jomotsangkha_Martshala constituency. He holds a master’s degree in environmental management from the Yale University in the United States. Before joining the party, he served in both the government and international organisations for over thirteen years.
In Samtse, the former information and communication minister, D.N. Dhungyel, is the party’s candidate from Phuentshogpelri_Samtse constituency. He has a Master of Business Administration from Prestige Institute of Management Studies and Research in India.
The party also declared 42-year-old Sangay Khandu as its candidate from Tashichhoeling constituency in Samtse. He has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, politics and economics from the Rangsit University in Thailand. He served as a Member of Parliament in the National Council between 2013 and 2018.
For Samtse’s Ugyentse_Yoeselte constituency, 64-year-old Mani Kumar Pradhan is the party’s candidate. Mani Kumar has a master’s degree in management information systems from the George Washington University in the United States. He worked with the government and various private agencies for over twenty years before joining politics.
And in Sarpang, Doctor Tek Bahadur Rai, 62, will represent the party’s as its candidate from Shompangkha constituency. He has a Master of Internal Medicine from the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune University in India. He served in the Royal Bhutan Army for 41 years before joining the party.
Fifty-eight-year-old Tshewang Rinzin is the party’s candidate for South_Thimphu constituency. He has a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from the University of New England in Amidale, Australia. Tshewang Rinzin served as Thimphu’s National Council Member of Parliament between 2018 and 2023.
The PDP also declared two candidates for Trashigang.
Kinzang Wangdi, 62, is the party’s candidate for Bartsham_Shongphu constituency. He has a Master of Science in Agronomy from the Lincoln University in New Zealand. He served as the secretary general of the National Assembly Secretariat.
For Kanglung_Samkhar_Udzorong constituency, the former education minister, 54-year-old Norbu Wangchuk, is the party’s candidate. He has a master’s degree in business administration from the Pune University in India.
Meanwhile for Tsirang, 33-year-old Lhakpa Tshering Tamang is the party’s candidate for Sergithang_Tsirangtoed constituency. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Gedu College of Business Studies. Before joining the party, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Amen Bhutan Tours and Treks Private Limited.
In Trashi Yangtse, the party declared 33-year-old Kinley Dorji as its candidate from Khamdang_Ramjar constituency. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Bhutanese and Himalayan studies from the College of Language and Culture Studies in Trongsa. He worked in a private firm and later served as a Gewog Administrative Officer before joining the party.
In Trongsa, the former finance minister, Namgay Dorji, is the party’s candidate from Draagteng_Langthil constituency. The 55-year-old has a degree in Bachelor of Law from the University of Bombay in India.
The party also declared former health minister, Tandin Wangchuk, as its candidate from Athang_Thedtso constituency in Wangdue Phodrang. The 56-year-old has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Delhi.
For Zhemgang’s Bardo_Trong constituency, the former minister of Economics Affairs, Lekey Dorji, is the party’s candidate. The 53-year-old has a Master of Science in Operational Telecommunications Management from the Coventry University in England.
And for Panbang constituency in Zhemgang, 58-year-old Lungten Dorji is the PDP’s candidate. He has a master’s degree in public administration from the International Institute of Public Administration in Paris, France. He served as the director general of the Department of Local Governance before joining the party.
The People’s Democratic party is one of the five registered political parties in the country.
Deki Lhazom
Edited by Sherub Dorji
