The Dhamngoi Zomdu or the selection procedure for Samdrup Jongkhar’s Thromde election ended yesterday. Only 3 Thrompon candidates from 2 constituencies took part in the selection process, of which 2 got selected and will now contest for the Thrompon’s post on the poll day in December. However, the turnout of people was far less. Less than 20 percent of registered voters turned up for the Dhamngoi Zomdus.
Most of the seats had remained empty as majority of the people did not turn up.
In Samdrup Jongkhar Maed, only 4 people out of more than 80 registered voters attended the zomdu. Likewise, only 5 people turned up in Samdrup Jongkhar Toed constituency. It has more than 70 registered voters.
Samdrup Jongkhar Bar constituency which has almost 50 registered voters saw only 2 people attending the Zomdu.
According to a resident, Kencho Tenzin, although the Dhamngoi Zomdus are important, people can’t attend them as most people reside in other districts. “Most of the register voters are in Thimphu. They don’t stay here and some of them who stay here don’t attend since they have work at home.”
Meanwhile, some of the residents who did not attend the Zomdu said they decided not to go since their constituencies did not have candidates.
The 3 other constituencies had comparatively better numbers.
Kipse constituency which had 2 candidates saw 74 people attend the zomdu. It has more than 280 registered voters. Samdrup Gatshel with almost 240 registered voters had about 60 attendants. It had one Thrompon candidate. And although Bangtsho did not have any candidates, 20 people out of more than 160 turned up for the Dhamngoi Zomdu.
The Thromde and election officials said they informed the people through various social media platforms as well as through local cable television.
Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde has almost 900 registered voters from its 6 constituencies.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
