The candidates for Druk Phuensum Tshogpa and People’s Democratic Party have jointly decided to do away with common forums because of time constraint.
The candidates, over a telephonic interview, said the forums also coincide with the rainy season which makes it difficult for people to come and attend such forums. While they understand the importance of Common forums, they said, this time want to focus more on campaigning from village to village.
“When the Election Commission prepared the schedule, they kept a night or two’s gap in between gewogs. Some gewogs are not easily accessible at this time of the year,” said People’s Democratic Party’s
The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa’s candidates, Chencho Dorji, said at this time around, those coming to attend the forums are either elderly or young. “The ones, who fully understand the process of democracy, are occupied with paddy plantation,” he said.
The Returning Officer’s office of Phuentshogling Constituency received, in writing from the two candidates, their justifications for doing away with the common forums last week.
Officials said, since the common forum is an arrangement made by the Election Commission for the convenience of voters and the parties, the Commission approves of not having to conduct common forums as per the party candidate’s wish.
