Election to lower house on March 24

Thimphu, January 18: Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) on Thursday announced March 24 as the date to hold the first election to the lower house – National Assembly.
 
In a statement, the commission said that voting will complete the country's peaceful transition from absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.

The commission said that the polls for the 47-member national assembly will be completed in in one phase.

The first phase of election to the upper house National Council  was held in December 31 and the second phase is scheduled for January 29.

Chief Election Commissioner Kunzang Wangdi said first elected prime minister should take his office the following day.

Druk Phuensum Tshokpa and People's Democratic Party will take part in the election. According to constitution, the election to lower house should have been in two phase if there were more than two parties in the contest. Two securing highest votes in first round would be entitled to contest the second round in which people decide on parties who should rule and who should remain in opposition.

Application from a third party for the election was rejected by the ECB saying it has no qualified members.

Several parties in exile have been denied participation in the electoral process. Bhutan News Service