People of gewogs within the Gelephu Mindfulness City, GMC, will keep their elected local leaders. The Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) confirmed that the establishment of the GMC will not cost residents their democratic representation. The elections will go ahead in 2027, along with the rest of the country.
The clarification comes amid public uncertainty over local government elections in the GMC, following the handing over of the Gelephu Thromde administration to the GMC’s Governor’s Office in May this year.
With the autonomous governance system of the GMC Authority overseeing all the responsibilities previously managed by the thromde office, Thromde Tshogde elections were also not conducted in the city last month.
In a written statement, the ECB said only the Gelephu Thromde Tshogde elections have been deferred.
During a panel discussion last month, the Chief Election Commissioner said the parliamentary elections will also be held for the GMC.
“Except for the Thromde Tshogde elections, all other elections, including the National Assembly, National Council, and Local Government, will proceed as scheduled. We have been working closely with the GMC officials to ensure the elections in GMC are conducted smoothly,” said Deki Pema, Chief Election Commissioner, ECB.
Preparations are already underway.
Aspiring candidates from the gewogs under GMC have been invited to register for the Functional Literacy and Possession of Skills Test, the same qualifying test candidates sit in every other district. Tentative test centres have also been identified.
“For villagers like us, the gewog office and local leaders, such as the Gup and Mangmi, are very important. We were unsure if LG elections would happen after GMC was established, but it is good to know that we will continue to have elected representatives serving us,” said Budhi Man Rai, Resident, Dekiling, Sarpang.
The ECB stressed that the elections will run under the country’s existing electoral laws, alongside any adjustments the GMC Authority, as a Special Administrative Region established by a Royal Charter, may require.
The serving Gewog Tshogde’s term ends on 21st January 2027. According to the ECB, the second phase of the Fourth Local Government Elections will be held between 22nd January and 21st April 2027.
The Commission will announce the detailed election schedule, including the poll day, in due course.
Passang Dorji & Karma Wangdi, Gelephu
Edited by Sonam Wangdi
