The Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB), in collaboration with home ministry, is in the process of transferring civil registration of voters to their place of residence. But, it is optional. A voter can also choose to vote from their place of civil registration.
The Chief Election Commissioner, Dasho Kunzang Wangdi said transfer of civil registration would address one of the major issues that arose during Thrompons elections in 2011. He said there were fewer registered voters deciding the fate of many more living in the Thromdes. For instance, Thimphu has more than 100,000 people but there were just about 14,000 registered voters electing the Thrompon.
“It’s also democratically advisable for people to vote from where they are living. But, under our law, you can vote from where you are living only if you have civil registry.” Dasho said he is hoping that the voters would be able to vote from their place of residence from next thromde elections.
More than 10,700 eligible voters have already transferred their civil registration throughout the country. It is just a matter of filling up a form. ECB takes care of the rest.
The election commission is also working on delimitation of 16 other Thromdes.
