The Nation will go to the polls again on May 31. This time it will be for the primary round of the 2nd National Parliamentary Elections.
The registered political parties have until May 5 to submit their Letters of Intent to the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB).
On May 6, the Commission will begin scrutinizing the Letters of Intent and on the same day, issue the letters of acceptance or rejection. On the same day the political parties who have given acceptance letter will apply for the election campaign fund and commence campaigning. The Commission will release the funds, the next day.
The May 8 is the last date for withdrawal from the elections, receiving and mailing of postal ballots by returning officers, and the first presidential public debate for the primary round on party ideologies will be held.
On the May 10 and May 11, the second public debate on Issues will be held, and common forums in all 47 constituencies will begin.
The Election Campaign for the primary round will end at 9 am on May 29, and postal ballots will be accepted until five in the evening the following day.
The poll day is on May 31. The counting of results also takes place on the same day. On the June 1, the ECB will declare the results and submit the same to His Majesty the King. Also on June 1, the two parties that have secured the highest total votes in the primary round will start filing the nominations of candidates.
The General Round
The two Parties moving to the General Elections will have 10 days to file nominations by candidates, after which the Commission will scrutinize the nominations.
On the 13th of June, the Commission will release the Campaign Fund for the General Round. The June 14 will be the last date for the withdrawal of candidature.
Parties that make it to the general elections will have about a month to campaign. The general campaign period ends on July 11.
The General Elections Poll Day and the counting of results take place on July 13. The ECB will officially declare the results the next day. The commission will also submit the results to His Majesty the King on the same day.
After five days, on July 18, the Commission will issue certificates of election to NA elects. There will also be a petition period, which ends on July 26.
Two Rounds- its difference
During the primary round, voters will cast their votes only for political parties and not for candidates. After the primary round, the two parties securing the highest and the second highest number of votes from all 20 Dzongkhags will be invited by the ECB to nominate 47 candidates to contest in the general elections.
For instance, if Party A and Party C make it to the general elections, each party will have 47 candidates- one candidate for one constituency. In the general elections, votes will be cast for candidates only.
