Upper House polls dates set

Thimpbum October 23: The Election Commission has announced that the elections to the National Council, the Upper House of the bicameral legislature, will be held on December 26.

The candidates willing to contest the elections would be allowed to campaign from November 30.

The commission said the candidates have to get approval from the gewog to file their candidacy at the commission. The majority at the meeting of the gewog, persons to present at the meeting has not been clarafied, will decide if one or multiple candidates will contest the polls.

On recommendation from the Gup, Mangmi and Tshogpas, the elected candidate will have to file nominations no later than November 27.

Last date for withdrawal of the candidature has been fixed for November 30 and the commission will release fund for campaign on the same day.

Polls campaign will end on December 24 and the result of the polls will be declared and submitted to the king on December 27.

According to election commission, 864 polling stations have been fixed for the National Council elections.

47 national observers are to be deployed. Dzongdas will be the as chief electoral officers in their districts while Dungpas and Dzongrabs will function as deputy.

Soon after the announcement of the polls schedule, the NC candidates have begun their familiarization tour in respective districts. Bhutan News Service