Choosing a candidate to represent them in the National Assembly will be a tough call for the residents of three gewogs in Pema Gatshel. Dungmin, Nanong and Norbugang Gewogs have candidates representing both BTP and PDP. However, on the brighter side, they are bound to win whichever party forms the next government. This is because they will have a representative in the National Assembly, either in the ruling party or in the opposition.
57-year-old Sangay Thinley is the Bhutan Tendrel Party’s candidate representing Khar-Yurung Constituency. He has a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia.
He had served as the Chief Human Resource Officer for the Health Ministry before joining the party.
40-year-old Lekdhen Zangmo is representing the People’s Democratic Party from the same constituency. She has a Master’s Degree in Buddhist Philosophy from Acharya Nagarjuna University in India.
She had served as a teacher at Zungnye Primary School in Bumthang before joining PDP.
Both candidates are from Dungmin Gewog. Khar-Yurung Constituency has five gewogs including Dungmin, Chongshing, Chhimoong, Khar, and Yurung.
“As both candidates are from the same gewog, we are hoping they will know the problem that our gewog faces. We expect that our problems will be solved by whoever gets elected,” said Guna Tshering, a resident.
“Both the candidates are from our gewog and we are hoping they will fulfil our wishes, whoever gets elected,” said Sonam Dorji, another resident.
Similarly, Nanong Gewog has two candidates representing BTP and PDP from the Nanong-Shumar Constituency. Nanong-Shumar Constituency comprises three gewogs including Nanong, Shumar and Zobel.
49-year-old Yeshey Jamtsho is representing BTP. He has a Master’s in Banking and Finance from the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand. He had served as BDBL Branch Manager in Pema Gatshel.
44-year-old Pema Wangchuk is representing PDP. He has a Masters in Legal Studies from the University of Canberra in Australia. He worked as the CEO of Druk Gypsum Private Limited.
“We don’t have to feel good or bad about whoever wins the general round as both the candidates are from our gewog. We feel that they can work together whether they win or lose,” said Sonam Wangdi, a resident.
“We couldn’t get a representative since the 2008 NA elections. However, this time, we have candidates representing both BTP and PDP from our gewog. So, whoever wins, we are hoping to have our candidate in the ruling party and benefit us,” said Thinley Wangdi, another resident.
Lamdra Wangdi is BTP’s candidate from the Nganglam constituency. The 54-year-old has a Master’s in Education Administration from St. Xavier University in Canada. He served as the Drungpa for Jomotshangkha Drungkhag in Samdrup Jongkhar.
38-year-old Rinchen Khandu is the PDP’s candidate from the same constituency. He has a Master’s in Education from Paro College of Education and had served as a lecturer at the Paro College of Education. Both of them are contesting for the Nganglam Constituency from Norbugang Gewog.
Nganglam Constituency has three gewogs which include Dechhenling, Chhokhorling, and Norbugang.
“Until now, we never had a Member of Parliament from our gewog to represent us in the National Assembly. We will now have one this time and we are hoping to see development taking place in our gewog as they are elected to serve the people,” said Chedra, a resident.
“Someone from the two of them will be elected as both of them are from our gewog. Moreover, we are hoping to have the ruling party’s member from our Gewog,” said Tashi Namgay, another resident.
The voters are already aware of the poll day for the general round which is on the 9th of January.
Khar-Yurung Constituency has close to 10,700 eligible voters.
Nanong-Shumar Constituency has a little over 10,500 registered voters.
And Nganglam Constituency has close to 8000 registered voters.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Phub Gyem
