Defining the 2008 election map (REPRODUCTION)
As preparations for the first political elections draw closer, the Delimitation Commission is in the process of charting out electoral boundaries for election purpose so as to give equal weightage to all voting zones. The Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan, Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, talks to BT on the progress made by his office in defining Constituencies and Electoral Rolls.
Q. Come 2008 how many and what kinds of officials will be elected at the national as well as local government level?
A. In 2008, as we all know by now, there will be elections conducted to elect Thuemis to the Gyalyong Tshogdu, the lower house (National Assembly); Gyalyong Tshogde, the upper house (National Council); Dzongkhag Tshogdu, Geog Tshogde, and Thromde Tshogde including the Thrompons.
Each dzongkhag will elect two to seven Thuemis to the Gyalyong Tshogdu depending on the outcome of the delimitation of the constituencies. Dzongkhags will also elect one Thuemi to the 25-member Gyalyong Tshogde. His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo will appoint five eminent Bhutanese citizens as His nominees to the Gyalyong Tshogde.
Every geog will elect a Gup and a Mangmi and seven to eight Tshogpas to Geog Tshogde. In like manner, every Thromde will elect a Thrompon and seven to 10 Tshogpas. Thromdes from dzongkhag will also elect two Thromde representatives.
We shall be able to give you the total number of seats or number of officials required to be appointed through elections towards the end of this year only when we complete the delimitation.
Q. The delimitation work, the charting of electoral boundaries, is underway. In layman terms what actually is happening?
A. The delimitation exercise is going on in full swing. We have a technical team comprising of survey officers and delimitation officers devoting full time on the exercise. The Delimitation Commission itself so far has convened nine sessions.
Basic geog maps are more or less ready. These maps, which will form the basis of all delimitation of different constituencies, will be refined with the inputs that we have received from two days of intensive work we did with the DYT and GYT Thrizins recently in Thimphu.
Delimitation, which in some countries is also called redistricting, is a process of setting out or establishing the limits or boundaries of areas for election purposes so as to give equal weightage. Each vote and each area in principle will get the same number of representation at the Parliament and the local governments to the extent possible and be equal in terms of population, size of area, representativeness and other relevant factors.
Q. What criteria are being used to draw up the constituencies or electoral boundaries? It is based on voter population or geographical size or both?
A. The delimitation of constituencies will be guided by the Constitution, Election Act and the Delimitation of Constituencies Rules and Regulations. It is a non-partisan activity.
Boundaries will be drawn so that constituencies within a dzongkhag are, as far as possible, relatively equal in voter strength, include groups having shared interest in the community, and correspond (wherever possible) to the existing administrative units. Means of communication and travel within the constituency will also be taken as an essential factor.
Geographical and landmark features such as mountains, rivers, main roads, etc., will be taken into account so that constituencies, as far as possible, will be unbroken and inter-connected to facilitate easier interaction of political parties and candidates with their constituencies.
Thus, a final delimitation process will take into consideration the size, remoteness as well as sparseness of population.
In that it is correct for us to conclude that delimitation takes into account the population and the geography of a place as the determining factors without ignoring any other relevant factors.
Q. Are the existing dzongkhag and geog boundaries going to change? If yes, how?
A. The existing boundaries for dzongkhags where necessary have already been changed by the government as preparation for the elections. The Election Commission does not foresee need for any adjustment to be made to the existing maps while delimiting constituencies for the elections of members to the Gyalyong Tshogde, Gup, Mangmi, and Thrompon. However, delimitation of the constituencies for the election to Gyalyong Tshogdu and the Geog Tshogpas and Thromde Tshogdes will require the boundaries to be redrawn.
A draft delimitation plan once prepared by the Delimitation Commission will be issued for public opinion and will be discussed at public hearings in every dzongkhag in order to provide opportunity for all interested and concerned members of the public to be heard in person.
It will be made public through the media to ensure that it is given the widest publicity. The views and opinions so received will be given utmost consideration in arriving at the final Delimitation Order. The Orders shall come into effect on the day they are signed by the Delimitation Commission. Parliament and respective local governments will be provided with copies of the Orders for information and appropriate action.
Q. Is the basis for delimitation fully established or could some aspects of it change when the Election Bill is deliberated in the upcoming National Assembly?
A. The basis as such need not be changed. Further the subject of the delimitation is normally not a subject that will be discussed in the Parliament. It is a subject under the jurisdiction of the Delimitation Commission. However, political parties and the politicians will be provided opportunities to comment.
Q. What is the deadline for completing the delimitation work? Are you within the schedule?
A. Delimitation, as we had mentioned in our earlier interview with Bhutan Times, is not only very technical and complex but also information sensitive. It is also a time consuming activity. We intend to finish the delimitation before the end of the year 2006.
Q. What roles do the representatives from the office of local governance, civil registry, urban affairs and the surveyor general play in the Delimitation Commission?
A. The subject of delimitation is technical and has to be supported by facts which only the relevant ministries are competent authorities on the areas of administration such the Ministry of Home affairs on population, data, citizenship issues, the Ministry of Works on Human Settlements on urban issues while the Surveyor General on geographical information. The Department of Survey and Land Records do possess the intimate knowledge, information and expertise on the geography and mapping of the country.
Q. Is delimitation a one-time exercise that will be used as a basis Wfor all elections henceforth or will it keep on changing?
A. Delimitation is going to be a dynamic process. Delimitation requires to be done whenever the Commission considers that there is the population growth or shift, urbanization and spatial growth taking place. Normally, it may be on the eve of an election but it may be reviewed by the Election Commission and the Delimitation Commission whenever they see fit.
Q. What is electoral roll and what is currently happening on this front?
A. An Electoral Roll is a list of citizens of Bhutan who are by law eligible to vote in elections conducted by the Election Commission of Bhutan. An Electoral Roll can be divided into Voters' List for specific constituencies and polling stations clearly specifying the area from where a voter will be entitled to cast his vote.
The Election Commission has already compiled the bio-data of
Bhutanese who are and will be of voting age in the year 2008 to be included in the Electoral Roll. The same has been sent to the local government functionaries for their verification. Any discrepancies found in their reports were reviewed with the DYT and GYT Thrizins recently.
The Bhutan Voter Registration Form is being distributed. The First Election Advisory was issued asking Bhutanese to obtain Citizenship Card and process transfer of Gung and Mitsi. The Second Election Advisory was issued devoted to urge people to fill in Bhutan Voter Registration Forms. Through these we expect to cover all eligible Bhutanese to be included as voters in the Electoral Roll by the end of this year.
Q. How does one register in the Electoral Roll?
A. The Bhutan Voter Registration Form is easily available in the office of the Electoral Registration Officer in the dzongkhag or the Election Commission headquarters. It can be also downloaded from the ECB Website www.election-bhutan.org.bt. A voter can submit a completed form as per the direction contained in the form. The name of applicant after verification of his application against the civil registry will be added to the Electoral Roll.
Q. Why should a voter register in the Electoral Roll?
A. A voter should register himself in the Electoral Roll as he can exercise his right to vote only if his name is found included in the Voters' List at a polling station specified and in the Voter Photo Identity Card (VPIC) issued to him, on the day of polling. We would like every Bhutanese to know that voting is your birthright. Make sure to enroll and be prepared to vote in 2008.
Q. Can one have access to the Electoral Roll?
A. Any person can access the Electoral Roll as it will be displayed in designated public areas, office of the Registration Officer and the Election Commission's website. A copy of the Electoral Roll will also be given to all the registered political parties and candidates.
Q. Do you think that Gups can be apolitical and still be able to function effectively knowing that they will have to listen to the government of the day?
A. We feel that for every thing there has to be a rule of the game. It has to be simple to understand and comply yet complete in itself and without any room for ambiguity. Obviously it is also critical that everyone is made aware of the rules and the likely consequences in the event of any breach on one hand. On the other hand, the enforcers at every level should be sincere and firm.
The government is making every effort to ensure these concerns will be addressed. The Election Commission hopes to educate the Gups.
Roles of the Gup during his tenure of service are cut out. He is, therefore, expected to play by rule and do not get embroiled in politics. If he wishes to do so he shall have the option to resign and become a member of a political party.
(Editor's note: This interview appeared in the recent issue of Bhutan Times weekly published from Thimphu. We reproduced here just to inform our readers what progress is being made here in Bhutan regarding the upcoming historic democratic election 2008. Quoted through: www.bhutansearch.com)