Some of the voters in Pema Gatshel are of the view that more of them would be able to attend the common forums if it is conducted in every chiwog.
Voters who came to a common forum in Nanong Gewog say since the villages are scattered and are often far away from the common forum venues, not everyone can make it to the meeting.
This, they say, deprives the voters of the crucial opportunity to learn more about the candidates.
In most cases, only a member from each household comes to the forum. But the people in Nanong said ideally it would be better if everyone in the family can attend, but this can happen only if common forums are conducted in every chiwog.
For rural voters who either do not have access to television or radio or the time and luxury to stay tuned to public debates being aired live on BBS television and radio, the common forums are the only real platform to get to know what each candidate has to offer. It is what helps them to make an informed choice.
Norbu Wangchu from Ngangshing in Nanong Gewog says common forums help them to figure out who to vote for. “There are some who vote for a particular candidate because that candidate is a relative, a friend, or someone they know,” he said.
“But this is not how we should decide. Instead, we should choose the one who is capable and has what it takes to become a people’s representative. This can be known to a large extent by listening to them at the common forums,” Norbu Wangchu added.
Tshering Wangdi from Tokarey in Nanong Gewog says he has a lot of work at home but he made it a point to come to the common forum. “I came because I want to make sure that my vote goes to the right person,” he said.
He said there are people back in his village who did want to come but failed to make it because they didn’t have enough people to stay back to attend to animals and take care of other important works.
Others, he said, are discouraged because of the long journey. For some in Nanong, the common forum venues are two to three hours walk away from their homes.
“When the people of Woongchhillo Chiwog have to come to the gewog center, it’s problematic unless they have cars,” Norbu Wangchu says.
“If you have to walk long hours, it’s hard to make it on time. Some people do not have money to pay transportation fare. That’s why it would beneficial for us if the common forums are conducted in every chiwog,” he added.
The Dzongkhag Election Officer said common forums are conducted twice in every gewog and that locations that are deemed the most central are chosen. The voter population is also taken into account when deciding the venues.
The common forums in Pema Gatshel began on Sunday and ends on April 7, which is next Saturday.
