The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Gewog Dhamngoi Zomdu process to select NC nominees has been completed in all the 20 Dzongkhags. The 130 selected candidates includes only 6 female candidates. Mongar was the Dzongkhag with the highest number of NC hopefuls with 13 candidates followed by Tsirang with 12 candidates. Bumthang has the lowest with only two NC candidates followed by Trongsa and Gasa with three each.
The selected candidates will now have to file their nomination with the ECB, latest by 19th March 2018, after which the nominees can prepare to gear up for the 2018 NC race.
Scrutiny of nominations of candidates, application for Election Campaign Fund by the candidates and the commencement of the election campaign will be from 20th March 2018. The election campaign will end by 18th of April 2018 at 9 a.m. And the nation will go to the polls to exercise their choice for the National Council member from their respective Dzongkhags on 20th April 2018.
Bumthang
Bumthang Dzongkhag has four Gewogs and a Thromde. This week, Kencho Tshering, 36 was selected from the Thromde after securing 306 yes votes and 97 no votes. During the nomination process earlier held earlier last week, the incumbent National Council member, Nima, 40 from Tang Gewog was nominated after securing 373 yes votes and 37 no votes.
Chukha
Chukha with 11 Gewogs and a Thromde had nominees coming forward from only 6 Gewogs. The incumbent National Council member from Chapchha Gewog, Pema Tenzin, 39 won with 419 votes against his opponent, Sangay Tenzin, 28 who secured 212 votes. Tshewang Lhamo, 37 from Bjabchog gewog who also served as the Chukha NC member from 2008-2013 won after securing 165 yes votes and 18 no votes. The other candidates who made through the nomination process are Sangay Dorji, 37 from Bongo who secured 762 votes against his two opponents who secured 255 and 284 votes, Kinley Dorji, 33 from Geling Gewog secured 196 yes votes and 21 no votes, Damcho Gyeltshen, 32 from Loggchina secured 217 yes votes and 127 no votes, and Hem Kumar Ghalley, 31 secured 265 yes votes and 49 no votes from Phuntsholing.
Dagana
Dagana has 14 Gewogs and a Thromde. During the nomination process this week Dawa Rigyel, 26 from Karna Gewog secured 150 votes, Tsendagang gewog nominated Birendra Chimoria, 36 who secured 505 yes votes and 74 no votes and Sangay Thinley from Khebesa secured 256 yes votes and 55 no votes. The other candidates who made through the Dhamngoi zomdu conducted the previous week are Wangdi, 32 from Dorona after securing 137 votes while his opponent secured 128 votes, San Man Gurung, 28 from Larjab secured 152 yes votes and 23 no votes, Tenzin Samdrup, 39 from Tseza secured 294 yes votes and 25 no votes, Surja Man Thapa, 34 from Gesarling secured 220 yes votes and 29 no votes, Kinzang Gyelstshen, 28 from Drugaygang secured 351 yes votes and 120 no votes, Suraj Pradhan, 37 from Lhamoidzingkha secured 308 votes against his two opponents who secured 85 and 99 votes, and Birkha Bdr. Subba, 30 from Karmaling secured 263 yes votes and 143 no votes.
Gasa
Gasa has 4 Gewogs and Lunana was the only Gewog without a nominee. Kinley Dorji, 36 from Khamaed Gewog secured 163 yes votes and 84 no votes and former DPT candidate Dorji Khandu, 31 from Laya Gewog secured 295 yes votes and 23 no votes. Khatoed gewog had three candidates, including the incumbent National Council member, Sangay Khandu who lost after securing 66 votes against his opponent, the former Obstetrics and gynecology department’s head, Dr. Phub Dorji, who secured 127 votes in his favour.
Haa
Haa Dzongkhag has six Gewogs and a Thromde. The incumbent National Council member and Deputy Chairperson, Tshering Dorji, 44 from Bji won after securing 526 votes against his opponent who secured 223 votes. The other selected candidates are Tobgay, 36 from Haa Throm who secured 118 yes votes and 15 no votes, Ugyen Namgay, 35 from Sangbay who secured 220 yes votes and 23 no votes, and Ngawang Tobgay, 28 from Samar who secured 184 yes votes and 47 no votes.
Lhuentse
Lhuentse Dzongkhag has 8 Gewogs and a Thromde. The former National Council member from Khoma, Rinzin Rinzin, 49 won by securing 269 yes votes and only 6 no votes. The other selected candidates are Tenzin Jurmey, 29 from Maenbi who secured 231 yes votes and 49 no votes, Jurme Tenzin, 36 from Kurtoed secured 177 yes votes and 7 no votes, Tempa Dorji, 50 from Jarey secured 159 yes votes and 17 no votes, and Kinga Penjor, 44 from Gangzur Gewog secured 255 yes votes and 28 no votes. Other Gewogs like Maedtsho, Minjey, Lhuentse Throm and Tsenkhar did not have a single aspiring candidate.
Mongar
Mongar Dzongkhag with 17 Gewogs and a Thromde had nominees coming forward from 13 gewogs. During the zomdu held this week, Naichu, 52 from Saling secured 265 yes votes and 83 no votes and Yeshi Lhendup, 31 from Kengkhar secured 283 yes votes and 30 no votes.
The other candidates who have been selected during the zomdus that were held the previous week are Tshering Wangchen, 38 from Na-Rang Gewog who secured 181 yes votes and 56 no votes, Ugyen Tshering, 34 from Dramedtse secured 227 yes votes and 82 no votes, Jamyang Loday, 32 from Tsakaling secured 299 yes votes and 54 no votes, Neten, 32 from Chagsakhar won after securing 334 votes while his opponent secured 217 votes, Ugyen Dorji, 32 from Thang-Rong secured 308 yes votes and 46 no votes, Sonam Pelzom, 30 from Tsamang secured 335 yes votes and 40 no votes, Chimi Dorji, 32 from Shermuhoong won after securing 172 votes against his two opponents who secured 157 and 159 votes, and Pema Dorji, 29 from Silambi, secured 281 yes votes and 23 no votes. Tshering Penjor, 32 from Balam secured 303 yes votes and 60 no votes, Rinchen Dorji, 28 from Monggar secured 476 yes votes and 71 no votes.
Sonam Wangchuk, 30 the incumbent National Council from Ngatshang won the nomination process after securing 382 votes while his opponent secured 238 votes.
Paro
Paro has a total of 10 Gewogs and a Thromde and there were five gewogs without nominees. The candidates who made it through the Dhamngoi zomdu are Ugyen Tshering, 49 from Lamgong who secured 468 yes votes and 35 no votes, Chencho Dorji, 39 from Shabha secured 280 yes votes and 48 no votes, Jangchub Dorji, 28 from Loong-Nyi gewog secured 274 yes votes and 27 no votes, Dawchu, 30 from Doteng won after securing 331 votes while his opponent secured 240 votes, Sonam Tashi, 28 from Tsento won after securing 603 yes votes and his opponent secured 536 votes, and Ugyen Dorji, 39 from Wangchang secured 290 yes votes and 18 no votes.
Pemagathsel
Pemagatshel has a total of 11 Gewogs. The candidates who made it through the zomdu are Sherig Dentshog, 34 from Shumar, and in what is a first case during the current nomination process, he secured 343 yes votes with not a single no vote, Sonam Dhendup, 34 from Nanong gewog secured 312 yes votes and 30 no votes, Choining Dorji, 47 from Dechenling secured 187 yes votes and 44 no votes, Ugyen Dorji, 34 from Norbogang secured 259 yes votes and 21 no votes, Sangay Wangchuk, 56 from Yurung gewog secured 260 yes votes and 29 no votes, and Jamtsho, 53 from Khar secured 321 yes votes and 36 no votes. The rest of the gewogs did not have nominees.
Punakha
Punakha has 11 Gewogs and a Thromde. During the Dhamngoi zomdu this week Rinchen Dorji, 27 from Kabiesa secured 225 yes votes and 71 no votes.
Former DPT member of Limukha-Toedwang, Namgay Wangchuk, 41 has been selected from Toedwang Gewog after securing 560 votes against his opponent who secured 346 votes. The other candidates who made through the nomination process are Kinley Wangchuk, 43 from Barp gewog who secured 204 yes votes and 23 no votes, Dechen Thaiye Dorji, 31 from Toedpaisa secured 217 yes votes and 28 no votes, and Sonam, 40 from Thromde secured 52 yes votes and 1 no vote. Tsencho Wangdi, 33 from Talog won after securing 373 yes votes against his opponent who secured 160 votes.
Two women aspirants, Lhaki Dolma, 40 and Dr. Dechen Zangmo, 52 from Dzomi and Guma Gewogs respectively made it through their Dhamngoi zomdus. Lhaki Dolma secured 279 yes votes and 35 no votes while Dechen Zangmo secured 264 yes votes and 173 no votes from their respective gewogs.
Samdrup Jongkhar
Samdrup Jongkhar has 11 Gewogs and a Thromde. During the Dhamngoi zomdu this week, incumbent and the two term NC elect, Jigme Wangchuk, 38 from Lauri won after securing 404 votes against his two opponents where one of them secured 219 votes and the other secured 184 votes. The lone female candidate from the Dzongkhag, Tshelthrim Dukar, 39 from Orong gewog won after securing 270 yes votes and 59 no votes. Kelzang Phuntsho, 36 from Wangphu secured 285 yes votes and 48 no votes, and Sangay Tenzin, 45 from Thromde won after securing 123 yes votes and 18 no votes.
The other candidates who made through are nomination process held in the previous week are Tshewang Tenzin, 30 from Serthig secured 247 votes while his opponent secured 169 votes, Ugyen Dorji, 41 from Martshala secured 286 yes votes and 118 no votes.
Samtse
Samtse has 15 Gewogs and a throm. Ngawang Nidup, 28 was nominated from Samtse Thromde after securing 119 votes while his two other opponents secured 25 and 80 votes each. The other candidates who made it through are Badrinath Bhattarai, 59 from SangNgagChhoeling gewog who secured 251 yes votes and 52 no votes, Chhatrapati Phuyel, 51 from from Dophugchen gewog won after securing 486 votes against his opponent who secured 388 votes, Narayan Dahal, 40 from Yoeseltse gewog won after securing 110 yes votes and 26 no votes, and Dhan Kumar Ghalley, 51 from Pemaling secured 239 yes votes and 108 no votes. Tirtha Man Rai, 31 from Doongtoed secured 377 yes votes and 25 no votes, Shadeo Rai, 27 from Tendruk secured 299 yes votes and 74 no votes, Ugyen Lama, 29 from Tading secured 463 yes votes and 70 no votes and Samten Lepcha, 35 from Samtse secured 373 yes votes and 89 no votes. Seven Gewogs did not have any nominee.
Sarpang
Sarpang has 12 Gewogs and a Thromde. During the nomination process held this week, the incumbent National Council member from the Dzongkhag, Dhan Bdr. Monger, 38 won after securing 362 votes against his opponent who secured 355 votes. Tshering Penjor, 30 from Jigme Chhoeling secured 353 votes while his opponent secured 253 votes, and Mon Bdr. Rai, 28 from Samtenling secured 229 yes votes and 31 no votes. Tshering Norbu, 36 from Gelegphu Thromde won after securing 246 yes votes and 28 no votes.
The other candidates who made it through the nomination process held in the previous week are Khari Lal Gurung, 35 from Chhuzangang who secured 177 yes votes and 118 no votes, Pema Tashi, 33 from Serzhong won after securing 390 votes against his opponent who secured 240 votes, Ugyen Tshering Dorji, 48 from Shompangkha won after securing 255 votes while his opponent secured 210 votes and Anand Rai, 35 from Gakiling secured 374 yes votes and 41 no votes.
Thimphu
Thimphu has 8 Gewogs and a Thromde. This week, Kawang gewog nominated Tshewang Rinzin, 54 who secured 374 votes while his opponent secured 161 votes, and Mewang Gewog nominated Sangay Tshering, 28 who secured 530 votes while his opponent secured 262 votes.
During the previous Dhamngoi zomdu, Tshokey Dorji, 33 from Thim throm was nominated after securing 811 votes in his favor among three other opponents. The incumbent National Council member, Nima Gyeltshen, 34 from Chang Gewog won after securing 201 yes votes and 21 no votes. Leki Tshering, 39 from Ge-Nyen gewog secured 213 yes votes and 21 no votes and four Gewogs did not have any nominees coming forward from Thimphu.
Trashi Yangtse
Trashiyangtse has 8 Gewogs and a Thromde. The incumbent National Council member from the Dzongkhag, Tashi Phuntsho, 46 from Yalang gewog won after securing 146 yes votes and 65 no votes. The other selected candidates are Phurpa Gyeltshen, 39 from Ramjar who secured 313 yes votes and 18 no votes, Sonam Tenzin, 31 from Khamdang secured 302 votes while his opponent secured 208 votes, Ngawang Tashi, 35 from Tongmizhangsa secured 262 yes votes and 27 no votes, Thinley, 36 from Yangtse secured 230 yes votes and 55 no votes, and Karma Gyeltshen, 35 from Yangste Thromde won after securing 116 yes votes, while his opponent secured 112 votes.
Trashigang
Trashigang has 15 gewogs and a throm. The candidates who made through the nomination process are Ugyen Phuntsho, 25 from Bartsham who secured 215 yes votes and 41 no votes, Dorji Wangchuk, 33 from Bidoong secured 112 yes votes and 27 no votes, and Lhatu, 51 from Lumuang secured 436 yes votes and 39 no votes. Radhi gewog chose Sonam Tobgay, 38 who secured 370 votes while his opponent secured 217 votes, Jamyang, 30 from Samkhar secured 409 yes votes and 47 no votes, Chheki Wangchuk, 52 from Shongphu secured 230 yes votes and 26 no votes, Ugyen Dorji, 28 from Thrimshing secured 330 yes votes and 48 no votes, and Pema Wangda, 31 from Udzorong secured 222 yes votes and 32 no votes. There were no nominees from the 7 gewogs including the Thromde.
Trongsa
Trongsa has 5 Gewogs and a Thromde. Tashi Samdrup, 42 from Nubi Gewog was nominated this week after securing 384 yes votes and 11 no votes.
The incumbent National Council member, Tharchen, 38 won from Langthil Gewog after securing 343 yes votes and 43 no votes. Draagteng gewog nominated Gyem Dorji, 42 who secured 240 yes votes and 102 no votes.
Tsirang
Tsirang has 12 Gewogs and a Thromde. During the nomination process held this week, Tashi Norbu, 38 from Patshaling secured 190 yes votes and 46 no votes. Sergithang gewog nominated Sonam Tobgay, 29 who secured 149 yes votes and 56 no votes. The lone female candidate in the Dzongkhang, Kencho Wangmo, 42 from the Thromde, secured 39 yes votes and 2 no votes.
In the previous week’s nomination processe, the incumbent National Council member, Kamal Bahadur Gurung, 51 from Mendrelgang Gewog lost by a vote to his opponent, Ramesh Chhetri Bhandari, 33 who secured 218 votes. Hom Nath Thapa, 30 from Gosarling was nominated after securing 156 votes while his two opponents secured 119 and 88 votes. Tsirang Toed chose Dhan Kumar Sunwar, 31 with 184 votes while his opponent secured 166 votes, Sangay Tamang, 34 from Tsholingkhar secured 290 votes, Nim Karma Sherpa, 56 from Rangthangling secured 358 yes votes and 75 no votes, Mingma Dorji Lama, 30 from Kilkhorthang secured 283 yes votes and 42 no votes, Nado Rinchen, 30 from Barshong secured 220 yes votes and 39 no votes, Tara Bir Chuwan,36 from Doonglagang secured 261 yes votes and 46 no votes, and Lok Natu Tiwari, 31 from Phuentenchhu secured 257 yes votes and 31 no votes.
Wangdue Phodrang
Wangdue Phodrang has 15 Gewogs and a Thromde. The incumbent National Council Member, Tashi Dorji, 37 from Rubesa Gewog won after securing 245 yes votes and 10 no votes. The former DPT candidate, Passang Thrinlee, 59 from Bjena was nominated after securing 193 yes votes and 21 no votes. The other selected candidates are Thinley, 34 from Thedtsho who secured 70 yes votes and 42 no votes, Dawa Tshering,30 from Saephu secured 356 yes votes and 25 no votes, and Rada Wangchuk, 27 was nominated for Wangdue Throm after securing 116 yes votes and 18 no votes.
Zhemgang
Zhemgang Dzongkhag has 8 Gewogs and a Thromde. This week Ngangla gewog nominated Rinchen, 51 who secured 253 yes votes and 53 no votes
Earlier, the incumbent National Council Member, Pema Drakpa, 49 was nominated from Bardo Gewog after securing 367 yes votes and 11 no votes, Sonam Leki, 38 from Nangkor secured 346 yes votes and 32 no votes, Dorji Cheten, 38 from Phangkhar won after securing 419 votes against his opponent who secured 239 votes, Sangay Dorji, 57 from Goshing secured 265 yes votes and 126 no votes.
Of the 14 incumbent members re-contesting, 12 NC members got through, while two incumbent NC members, Sangay Khandu from Gasa and Kamal Bahadur Gurung from Tsirang could not make it through the nomination process. Six incumbent NC members from Paro, Punakha, Pemagatshel, Trashigang, Samtse and Dagana have decided not to re-contest in this election.
