The two Tshogpa candidates in Mani chiwog in Gasa ended up drawing lots to decide which of them would become the Tshogpa. This was done as per the election Act after the re-election on Monday again ended up in a tie between the two candidates.
For the first time in the history of elections in the country, luck of draw was invoked to decide an election. The election was again tied in Mani chiwog of Khatoed Gewog in Gasa. To break the deadlock, the draw of lots was used. And the luck favoured the former Tshogpa, Dophu. As per the Election Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008, if at the re-election, the highest numbers of votes are secured by two or more candidates or parties in equal numbers on the completion of votes, forthwith decide between those parties or candidates by draw of lots in presence of parties, candidates or their representatives.
During the re-election, the two candidates running for Tshogpa received exactly the same number of votes. Both candidates received 21 votes through the electronic voting machine (EVM) and three postal ballots each.
Almost 100 per cent of the total registered voters in Mani chiwog participated in the election. There was a total of 51 registered voters.
Earlier, in the Third Local Government Elections, both the candidates received 25 votes. Dophu received 20 EVM votes and five postal ballots, while his opponent acquired 17 EVM votes and 8 postal ballot votes.
Nine chiwogs in five districts of Gasa, Punakha, Sarpang, Trongsa and Wangdue went to the polls yesterday to elect their Tshogpa. The results of the Third Local Government Elections in these chiwogs were tied.
Meanwhile, the poll day for the remaining 24 demkhongs for the third Local Government Elections will be held on the 5th of next month.
According to the Election Commission of Bhutan, the seats in these demkhongs are vacant after no candidates stood in during the third LG election last year and due to a few No votes for lone candidates in some Demkhongs.
Pema Seldon Tshering
Edited by Sonam
