Bhutan votes to end 100-year-old monarchy

By NNN-KUNA

New Delhi : Bhutan Monday voted for the first ever Parliamentary elections, kicking off a process to end the 100-year-old monarchy in the Himalayan State.


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“Response in the polling was very positive,” Bhutan’s chief election commissioner Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, told news agency Indo Asian News Service from capital Thimphu over telephone this evening.

“A total of 41 candidates contested in the 15 districts of Bhutan with 15, 000 officials conducting the elections in 723 polling stations,” Wangdi said.

Elections were held for the 25-member National Council or upper house of Bhutans Parliament. Polling was, however, held for 15 seats. Counting of votes would begin Tuesday, the news agency said. Bhutan has 20 districts and each would have a member in the National Council.

The Election Commission would announce fresh dates for elections to five seats. Bhutans King would nominate rest five members to the council. Members of Bhutans royal family and monks are not allowed to vote. Poll observers included those from India, US, and Australia, apart from a five-member UNDP team.

Elections to the National Assembly or the lower house are scheduled in February 2008. The strength of the National Assembly will be 75. The King would become head of the state after the National Assembly polls, but parliament can impeach him by a two-thirds vote.

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