In the latest development of the alleged bribery case of the Dhamngoi Dzomdu in Punakha, the Election Dispute Settlement Centre revokes the decision of the Punakha District Dispute Settlement Body. The cousin of the aspiring National Council MP of Toedbisa Gewog will not have to pay any fines now. The centre passed the decision yesterday. The District Dispute Settlement Body last Wednesday asked the cousin of the selected NC candidate to pay a fine equivalent to 120 days of the national wage for violating the election act, rules and regulations and guidelines.
According to the decision of Election Dispute Settlement Centre, there is no concrete evidence to prove that the cousin of the elected candidate bribed the voters. The centre states that there is no proof of the defendant being a representative of an elected candidate and found the money and green nets were not given as bribes to garner votes.
It states that the Nu 10,000 he had given to the Lam of Thinleygang Lhakhang was for his late mother. It also states that the six green nets were given as gifts to six people.
Unhappy with the District Dispute Settlement Body’s resolution, the opponent of Toedbisa Gewog’s NC candidate appealed to the Election Dispute Settlement Center.
Dechen Thaye, the opponent of the elected candidate initially filed the complaint with the District Dispute Settlement Body two days after the Dhamngoi Zomdu. He alleged that the cousin of the elected candidate bribed the people by providing green nets two days prior to the Dhamngoi Zomdu and had lured voters on the way to the Dhamngoi Dzomdu.
He wrote to the District Dispute Settlement Body to nullify the result of Dhamngoi Dzomdu held on 7th March.
However, according to the Election Dispute Settlement Centre, any of the parties can appeal further to the Full Commission within two days if not satisfied with the resolution.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Phub Gyem
