By IANS,
Dharamsala : Penpa Tsering Tuesday took oath of office as the speaker of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile, an official statement said.
Tsering, a member of Tibetan parliament from Domey province, was sworn-in by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at a ceremony held in this Himachal Pradesh hill station.
Tsering replaced Karma Chophel, whose term ended Nov 30.
“Chophel was on the post for two and a half years. Penpa will now hold the position for the remaining half of the five-year term of the 14th parliament-in-exile,” said the statement.
The Tibetan parliament, which also serves as the seat of the government-in-exile, is the highest legislative organ of the Tibetan exiles.
The parliament has 43 members, who are elected representing the three traditional provinces, four Buddhist sects and the traditional Bon religion of Tibet.
The members are directly elected by the exiles above the age of 18 from their respective constituencies around the world.
The Dalai Lama, 73, along with many of his supporters, fled Tibet and took refuge at this Indian hill station in 1959. He has ever since been heading the government-in-exile from here, which is not recognised by any country.