The right to elect a representative through fair voting is considered the most important element of the electoral system. When this right is taken away, the system starts breeding discontentment. The business community of Bajo town in Wangdue Phodrang is going through this phase. They claimed that they have no idea how the current chairperson and members of the Dzongkhag Business Development Committee (DBDC) were elected. They lodged a complaint with the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry to look into this.
The business community in Bajo wrote to the BCCI last month. According to the petition, the former BCCI representative of the town was elected as the chairperson of the newly formed DBDC with seven members earlier in May this year. They alleged that this was done without the consent and consultation of the business community.
They again wrote to the BCCI on the 29th of the last month. They asked the BCCI to revoke the election alleging favouritism and malpractice surrounding the election of the current representatives. They said election for BCCI representatives was always done through voting in the past.
“Even though they have elected around eight people this time, they did not conduct such an election. So, we have been asking the BCCI about this since we did not know whether they have changed the election rules,” said Nala, a businessman in Bajo.
“It has been almost five months since they have elected some members. We do not know even today about who all are the members and how they are functioning. But we are not satisfied since there is no transparency in the election,” said Dorji, a former Thromde Tshogpa in Bajo.
“We do not have any objection if BCCI has changed the rules. So, we would have no objection if the election were conducted in front of a gathering of all business people. But they just elected themselves which none of the business people knows about,” added Yangden, also a businessperson in Bajo.
However, according to the BCCI, the election for the formation of the DBDC was done as per the process with due diligence. They said the election was done upon the approval of the dzongkhag administration following COVID protocols.
“I was informed by the Thuemi of the DBDC chair that she has shared this in the group chat of Wangdue Tshongpa Group. So, she also has informed the former Thromde Ngotshab who is the chair of the Dzongkhag Tshogdu, and we have also got those screenshots of the conversation that they had,” said Tandin Wangchuk, the President of the BCCI.
He also added that the office has suggested inducting two additional members from their group in the committee representing the sectors that are not adequately represented.
But, on the other hand, the former Bajo Thromde Ngotshab said he was never consulted in this matter.
“Actually, all the activities of the BCCI should be done through Thromde Ngotshab. But I did not know about the election of present BCCI members and their chairperson. I wasn’t informed about it even by the BCCI office in Thimphu,” said Tenzin Wangchuk, the former Thromde Ngotshab of Bajo.
The present chairperson of the DBDC town told BBS she only did what the BCCI asked her to do.
Meanwhile, the BCCI said they are open to suggestions.
“For now, it may not be prudent on the part of the chamber of commerce to distort what has already been established. But if the forum doesn’t perform there is every room on the part of the DBDC to either change the chairperson or induct more members as found relevant and appropriate,” said Chandra B. Chhetri, the Dy. Secretary-General of the BCCI.
The Dzongkhag Business Development Committee is a voluntary association forum that primarily consults and explores important opportunities and proposes to the BCCI, and also to address the challenges in the business sectors.
There are around 600 active registered members of the BCCI in Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag.
Changa Dorji, Bajo
Edited by Sonam
