After struggling for the last four months without a Tshogpa, the people of four chiwogs in Pema Gatshel finally elected their representative during the local government elections in the vacant demkhongs yesterday. Without a Tshogpa, the people have been worried about their community being excluded from the developmental plans. The post for Tshogpa remained vacant due to a lack of candidates during the third local government election last year.
Almost all the people of Yangmalashing and Yarjaywung chiwogs came to cast votes for the vacant post of Tshogpa. People were disappointed when they did not have anyone contesting for the post in the Local Government election last year. But not this time.
“As the Tshogpa has been elected, we are grateful and happy. Our problems would now be addressed. We would like to thank the Election Commission for conducting the election within a short time,” said Tshering Lhamo, a resident of Yarjaywung.
“We have many elderly people here. If the road is not cleared during the summer, we will face a lot of problems. So, with the Tshogpa elected, we are now hopeful that he will help solve the issue by shouldering the responsibility,” said Rinchen Zangpo, a resident of Bidungri-Yangmalashing.
“With the Tshogpa elected, the people of Wungborang will have someone to represent us. We hope that the Tshogpa will be the bridge between the village and the gewog and solve our problems,” said Tsheten Zangmo, a resident of Wungborang.
As the representative of the village, a Tshogpa takes grievances of the community to the gewog and informs the community about the happenings in the gewog and the nation at large.
“Without a Tshogpa, we didn’t know where to address our problems and grievances,” said Tsheten Zangmo.
“Without a Tshogpa, we have not been able to improve the farm roads in Yangmalashing chiwog,” said Rinchen Zangmo.
Meanwhile, the post of Tshogpa in Pangthang-Redingla chiwog under Chhimung Gewog remains vacant as the aspiring candidate was affiliated with a political party. The election was held in the 24 vacant demkhongs yesterday with an overall voter turnout of 34.15 per cent.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sonam Pem
