It may be a remote district but people know what they want. And Wednesday’s election results made it loud and clear. One of the least developed districts Zhemgang chose mostly university graduates as gups. From one, Zhemgang now has six university graduates as local government leaders. Five are gup-elects in Bardo, Ngangla, Nangkor, Goshing and Trong Gewogs. And one is a Tshogpa-elect in Bjoka Gewog.
“We selected university graduates in a hope that they would be able to bring some change in developmental activities,” said Leki Zangmo from Nangkor Gewog.
“Former gups have done their part but this time we felt educated lot would be better to bridge the gap between people and the government. So, we supported them,” Lhendup from Trong Gewog.
“We have full confidence that they will bring some change and development in the rural communities. We have high expectations from them,” said Lham Dorji from Trong gewog.
It is clear that for the new gup-elects with university graduates, it is the beginning of yet another journey filled with challenges and uncertainties.
Eleven females took part in the elections. But only three got elected. In Zhemgang, 14 graduates including a woman contested for the post of gup, mangmi and tshogpa in eight gewogs. 144 individuals participated in the third local government election in the district.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
