2008 election bules: will there be any parties?

Kathmandu, March 22: Despite the repeated call of Election Commission (EC), formation of hte political parties in Bhutan is getting delayed. Leaders in exile termed the ongoing situation as ‘mockery’.

President of Bhutan Peoples’ Party (BPP), Balaram Poudel said that there is less possibility of forming political party inside Bhutan. “Bhutan still practices silent state terrorism. There is an essence for change in the governmence system. People now living inside the country still live under fear”, Poudel said.

Poudel also said that the parties existing in exile would apply for the registration only when Bhutan steps into full fledged democracy. “Bhutan is just trying to fool the international communities. Only fools will register the political party in the 2008 election”.

Talking to BNS, the president of Druk National Congress (DNC), R. K. Dorji said that the fundamental human rights as would be enshrined in draft constitution, is until now devoid in Bhutan. “How can one exercise democratic practice under such condition?” he said.

Dorji also claimed that the Election Commissioner's action is totally against the democratic culture.

Inquired whether his party would try for registration, Dorji said “However, with existing law, no prudent democrats will participate in election that save the royalist”.

In reponse to our querry whether the CEC can call leaders to register parties according to election act which is based on unadopted constitution, Dorji said, "No, he doesn't have any constitutional sanctity because of the reason. Therefore, Election Commissioner's action is totally against the democratic culture prevalent in many democratic countries. Even the King has not decree on the formation of political parties. I am appalled at his audacity."

"Pro-King or royalist like his brother-in-law, Sangay Nidup is already in the process of forming political parties. They are not hounded by the fear psychosis unlike the majority of Bhutanese populace. No democrats will come forward unless the dramatic institution of constitution monarchy takes place in Bhutan. I further suspect that this could be a ploy to ensnare and harassed pro-democrats inside Bhutan especially exiles' pro-democrats sympathizer and friends," he added.

Dorji also expressed hope to fight in the 2008 election. However, with existing law, no prudent democrats will participate in election save the royalist, he said and added that he would not file application for registration in the election commission as demanded by it. "In my opinion, the election/parties registration should take place after monarchy centenary celebration and institution of constitution monarchy in 2008. This will enabled the equal playing field to everyone and would be good for country. Otherwise, I sense unforeseeable problems engulfing our country," he added.

General secretary of Bhutan Naional Democratic Party (BNDP) Dr D. N. S. Dhakal said if Bhutan avoids the inclusion of political partied existing in exile during the election process, the world community would not accept the election to be a democratic.

He express the hope that the government of Bhutan would not bypass the political parties who have been fighting for political freedom and human rights since two decades. Bhutan News Service