Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT), Bhutan’s ruling party, has been rated excellent in promoting foreign relation and Gross National Happiness. This was the finding of a study conducted by the Institute of Management Studies (IMS) in Thimphu. The report rated the DPT government poor in solving unemployment, addressing youth issues and private sector development. The study interviewed some 300 respondents in the capital.
The study, the first of its kind is a lead up to the 2013 general elections. The study looked at many aspects, which is likely to influence the up-coming national elections. It was carried out to understand the influence pattern on voting decisions, predict voter turnout, measure the perception on DPT performance and identify quality voters among others.
Dr.Tandin Dorji of the IMS said that study was conducted to generate new information and knowledge. “This can be used the political parties as well as the voters to make informed judgment and ultimately culminate into good voting pattern.”
The study revealed that party manifesto doesn’t really matter to the respondents. The most significant and surprising outcome of the study was the party leadership. The respondents expect Leadership quality, integrity, excellent past record, charisma and oratory skills from a party leadership. It says the Prime Minister, Jigmi Y Thinley, will continue to bring in substantial votes in 2013 elections.
It was also revealed that urban voters, mostly civil servants, are still likely to influence relatives back home in the villages. It was revealed that the performance of the DPT government in farm road construction will be an added advantage in securing rural votes.
However, the Gyalpoizhing land issue, Constitutional Development Grant, Tobacco Act and personal behavior of some MPs will be of some negative impact on the ruling party.
Over 50 percent of the respondents thought DPT should change its candidates for the 2013 elections. And some 25 percent thought serving ministers shouldn’t take part in the election next time.
Many think DPT will win the next election while a major chunk of the respondents reserved their opinion on this. According to Norbu Wangchuk of the IMS the reservation was mainly because many people had gone on prediction during the 2008 elections. “So may be our respondents thought it is best to refrain from making predictions at this point in time when there is inadequate information of the political parties in the country,” he added.
Thirty nine percent of the respondents said chances for landslide victory, similar to the one in 2008 was unlikely. There will be a strong opposition with reasonable number of seats in the parliament, the study showed. While, 37 percent believed that a different party could come to power.
