Jigme Zangpo elected as the Speaker of NA

Aug 2, 2013

The Monggar MP-elect Jigme Zangpo has been elected as the Speaker of the National Assembly this morning. He was elected through secret ballot during the 1^st sitting of the National Assembly of the 2^nd Parliament of Bhutan. He secured 42 ‘Yes’ votes out of the 46 votes cast. One member abstained from the voting.

According to the National Assembly, the functions of the Speaker is to preside over the National Assembly and enforce its rules for the orderly conduct of the proceedings, “preserve dignity and decorum in the hall and maintain discipline amongst the members, sign the Bills passed by the National Assembly, represent the National Assembly in its relation with the Druk Gyalpo, the Executive and the Judiciary; and establish inter-parliamentary relations.”

Meanwhile, the Lingmukha-Toedwang MP-elect of Punakha, Chhimi Dorji, has been elected as the Deputy Speaker. He also secured 42 Yes votes out of the 46 votes cast.

According to National Assembly website the Deputy Speaker will preside over the sitting during the period of the Speaker’s absence. “He shall also perform the duties of the Speaker and every such act performed by him shall have the same effect and validity, as that of the Speaker.”