While residents of Thimphu and Phuentsholing prepare to vote for their Thrompon and thromde representatives this week, people in Gelephu will not go to the polls. According to the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB), the Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority (GMCA)has been actively exercising its mandate since its establishment in 2024, and the functions and responsibilities previously carried out by the thromde administration are already being fulfilled by the Governor’s office.
For years, Gelephu residents relied on the thromde administration for local services and urban development. However, with Gelephu now transitioning under the Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative, the city’s governance structure is changing.
The autonomous governance system of the GMCA oversees all the responsibilities previously managed by the thromde office.
However, this does not mean Gelephu residents will lose their democratic representation. According to the ECB, residents will continue to participate in elections for the National Assembly, National Council, and gewog local governments, as in other parts of the country.
Chief Election Commissioner Deki Pema said, “In GMCA, the governor’s office has been established and he is looking after the governance and other responsibilities. Therefore, it is decided that elections won’t be conducted.”
According to the Governor, regardless of who administers or serves the city, the objective is to improve public services and deliver better outcomes for people. He said that transition and transformation are for the better and people should rest assured.
GMCA Governor Dasho Dr Lotay Tshering said, “People should feel that transitioning of Gelephu Dungkhag into Thromde was better and now they should expect that the quality of services gets better with the GMCA coming in.”
He added that GMCA is led by members with expertise drawn from various fields around the world, bringing international experience to support the planning and development of Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Meanwhile, preparations for the thromde elections in Thimphu and Phuentshogling are underway, with polling scheduled for Wednesday. ECB says all government offices, schools, and institutions within the two thromdes will remain closed on election day to facilitate the voting process.
Sangay Chozom
Edited by Sangay Chezom
