Election Commission’s qualification guideline

Thimphu, September 05: The Election Commission has released a guideline defining the academic qualification necessary for contesting the National Council and National Assembly elections.

It was much debated what does a formal university degree means, the qualification required by the contestants as per the Election Act.

The EC has defined it as ‘a degree not lower than a bachelor’s degree conferred after having pursued a formal course of study at a university or an institution of higher learning recognized by the Royal government and attested by a competent authority in the kingdom’.

The guideline states that candidates must have undertaken a structured course of study in a formal classroom setting for the required period of time.

The Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) has been designated as the competent authority to certify that contestant attained the qualification.

Only the degrees from colleges and institutions under the RUB or colleges and institutions in India registered under the Association of Indian Universities, or colleges or institutions in other countries accepted by the RUB will be given the certification for contesting the elections. Bhutan News Service