Getting clearance from the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) for the candidates, who resigned from civil service to partake in the upcoming elections, is proving to be yet another obstacle for the political parties. This comes at time when the parties are struggling to get 47 candidates, which is mandatory, when they submit letter of intent to the Election Commission.
The parties have just two days left to submit their letters of intent. But some candidates, who resigned from the civil service, have still not been able to get clearance from the RCSC.
RCSC is asking them to refund the amount the government had spent on them while they were pursuing further studies overseas. Some have been asked to serve certain number of years they are required to be in the service upon return from their studies.
The founding member of Druk Namrup Tshogpa Dr. Tandi Dorji said DNT sees no choice but to abide by the Bhutan Civil Service Rules. He, however, described the obligation as discouraging and that the Civil Service Act needs a review to encourage more people to join politics.
He said it is important that people give due importance to the political parties who are trying to get candidates. “…if they fulfill whatever criteria has been set and if they have completed their term, I think they should be let go, they are not leaving their country, they are going to serve the country”.
One of the candidates of Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party has financial obligation with the RCSC.
BKP’s President, Sonam Tobgay said the party needs to asses if it would be possible to bail him out. “I think all institutions need to realize to understand and comprehend a holistic perspective in terms of nation building not just be bound by functional barriers one being RCSC and one being someone else”.
The People’s Democratic Party said they are going ahead with its confirmed candidates.
Meanwhile, the RCSC Commissioner, Bachu Phub Dorji, said if there are obligations, it must be met, irrespective of whether they are resigning to join politics or for other reasons. He added the Rules must be applied uniformly across the civil service.
