The constitution gives the right to every Bhutanese citizen to vote. To ensure that no one is left behind, the polling officers are being sent to even high-risk zones. In Trashi Yangtse, the zones include Toedtsho and Yalang Gewogs which are located near the Indian border. But polling officers will have to be quarantined before they return after the poll day.
Many people are of the view that only southern districts are identified as high-risk zones due to the pandemic. However, far in the east of Trashi Yangtse district, a few chiwogs share a border with India. Toedtsho and Yalang Gewogs are just a few kilometres away from India and more than 50 kilometres away from the Yangtse town.
Phurpa Tshering, the Electoral Registration Officer in Trashi Yangtse said, “There are three chiwogs in Toedtsho which includes Jangphutse, Manam and Omba. And from Yalang Gewog, it is Dukti Chiwog.”
Some seventeen polling officers will go to the two gewogs. He said, “Polling officers will go to their respective polling stations on the poll day. After the people finish casting their votes, the officers will have to stay under quarantine for a week before they can come back.”
And all ballots will be sanitised on their way back. The same process will be followed in Merag and Sagteng Gewogs in Trashigang.
Tshering Dendup, Trashi Yangtse
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
