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This page contains the full text of the PARLINE database entry on the selected parliamentary chamber, with the exception of Specialized bodies modules which, because of their excessive length, can be only viewed and printed separately.

Parliament name (generic / translated) Chi Tshog / Parliament More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Tshogdu / National Assembly Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Gyelyong Tshogde / National Council Affiliation to the IPU Yes Affiliation date(s) 2013 - LEADERSHIP President Jigme Zangpo (M)  Notes Elected on 2 Aug. 2013. Secretary General Sangay Duba (M)  Notes Appointed on 22 May 2015. COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 47 / 47 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 4 (8.51%) Mode of designation directly elected 47 Term 5 years Last renewal dates 13 July 2013 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address National Assembly Secretariat P.O. Box 139 Gyelyong Tshokhang Thimpu, BHUTAN (Export mailing lists) Phone (975 2) 32 27 29 32 27 93 Fax (975 2) 32 42 10 E-mail nab@druknet.bt speaker@nab.gov.bt Website http://www.nab.gov.bt/

Parliament name (generic / translated) Chi Tshog / Parliament Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Tshogdu / National Assembly Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Gyelyong Tshogde / National Council LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 30 June 2007 (Royal Decree), Election Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan 2008, Public Election Fund Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan 2008 Mode of designation directly elected 47 Constituencies 47 single-member constituencies Voting system Majority: Single member plurality system ("first past the post") Elections are held in two rounds. In the "primary round" (first round), Bhutanese vote for the political party of their choice. In the "general election" (second round), the two political parties that obtain the highest number of votes in the primary round field their candidates. Vacancies arising between general elections are filled through by elections. Voting is not compulsory. Voter requirements - Bhutanese citizenship, including through naturalization - Age: at least 18 years old on election day - Residence in the constituency at least one year prior to election Qualified voters who are on diplomatic assignments, working in Bhutanese Embassies, on special duty abroad, their spouses and dependants, civil servants, students and those serving in the armed forces, officials on election duty and voters specifically permitted by the Election Commission in consultation with the government can vote through postal ballots. Disqualifications: - Persons of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court - Persons disqualified from voting under the Election Act or any other law in force in Bhutan. CANDIDATES Eligibility - Bhutanese citizenship - Age: minimum of 25 years and maximum of 65 years at the time of registration - Registration in the constituency concerned - University degree - Members of political parties Ineligibilities: - Members of the Royal Family - Serving members of the armed forces - Serving civil servants - Clergymen - Persons registered under Religious Organizations Act - Serving executives and members of the Electoral Commission - Persons married to non-Bhutanese nationals - Conviction for crime, bribery, or electoral offence - Persons who are mentally unfit or specifically barred from voting under the laws of the country. Incompatibilities - Head of State - Members of the other chamber - Holders of public office - Civil servants (at the national level) - Executives and members of the Electoral Commission - Chief of electoral staff - Members of the armed forces - Members of the police forces - Clergymen *The incompatibilities cited above are valid during the term of office. - Holders of temporary entry permits - Undocumented immigrants - Insanity/mental illness Candidacy requirements - Candidature must be submitted by political parties.

Parliament name (generic / translated) Chi Tshog / Parliament Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Tshogdu / National Assembly Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Gyelyong Tshogde / National Council BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 13 July 2013 Timing and scope of renewal Mr. Tshering Tobgay's People's Democratic Party (PDP) won an absolute majority, taking 32 of the National Assembly's 47 seats, whereas it had only won two seats in the 2008 elections. Although it was leading after the primary round (see note), Prime Minister Jigme Thinley's Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) saw its share fall from 45 to 15 seats. The 2013 election was the second election in the history of parliamentary democracy in Bhutan. Initially five parties, including three new parties, were registered for the elections. However, only four parties contested the primary round as one party did not fulfill the criteria of furnishing a list of all 47 candidates to the Election Commission of Bhutan. On 28 July, the new government, which comprised the first-ever woman minister in Bhutan, was formed with Mr. Tshering Tobgay (PDP) as the Prime Minister. The 2013 elections were declared as being free and fair by international election observers. Note: Four parties contested the primary round in May 2013, in which the ruling DPT won 44.52 per cent of the votes against the PDP's 32.53 per cent. Only the two leading parties in the primary elections contest the second (general) round of elections to the National Assembly. Date of previous elections: 24 March 2008 Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 20 April 2013 Timing of election: Upon normal expiry* *A general election had to be called within 90 days of the expiry of the term of the previous legislature on 20 April (i.e. by 20 July). Expected date of next elections: July 2018 Number of seats at stake: 47 (full renewal) Number of candidates: 94 (84 men, 10 women) Percentage of women candidates: 8.9% Number of parties contesting the election: 2 Number of parties winning seats: 2 Alternation of power: Yes Number of parties in government: 1 Names of parties in government: People's Democratic Party (PDP) Date of the first session of the new parliament: 2 August 2013 Name of the new Speaker: Mr. Jigme Zangpo (People's Democratic Party, PDP) STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 13 July 2013 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 381'790 252'485 (66.13%) Notes Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes People's Democratic Party (PDP) Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats People's Democratic Party (PDP) 32 Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) 15 Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 44 3 6.38% Distribution of seats according to age Distribution of seats according to profession Comments Sources: National Assembly (29.07.2013, 01.01.2014, 14.06.2014) Election Commission of Bhutan (26.07.2013) http://www.election-bhutan.org.bt/NAGResult2013/index.php

This page was last updated on 10 June 2015
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