47,715 out of 53,633 postal ballots accepted

A total of 53,633 postal ballots from the 47 constituencies were received by the Returning Officers (ROs), of which 47,715 were accepted and 7,526 were rejected.

With just nine days remaining for the primary elections, the ROs are busy recollecting postal ballot envelopes, specifically envelope ‘A’, which contains identity declaration certification to be opened in front of the party representatives. The other envelope ‘B’ contains party names and logos, and holds the vote marked by the voter.It will be opened a day before the elections.

The ROs explained that rejection of postal ballots were due to incorrect citizenship identity card numbers, lack of a proper address, and incorrect VPIC numbers. The most common reason for the postal ballot rejection was due to the fact that most of the voters were not registered with the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB).

The RO of Tsirang, Rinchen Penjor said, “Some of the postal ballots were not registered, and some had no proper addresses while some did not mention the VIPC number correctly. These were the reasons for the cause of rejection.”

The RO of Chumey-Ura constituency, Pema Chofil said some applicants missed the deadline, some didn’t have correct personal information along with the information on witnesses, and a few were not registered with the ECB.

A 28-year-old civil servant based in Trashiyangtse said although he tried his best to send the postal ballot on time, erratic internet connectivity caused delay and the ballot was rejected.

Bardo–Trong in Zhemgang received the highest number of postal ballots (2,077 applications) followed by Khar-Yurung, Pemagatshel (1,837) Bardo-Trong has the highest number of rejection (346) followed by Dewathang-Gomdar, Samdrup Jongkhar (358).

Khamed-Lunana, Gasa received the lowest number (62). Just 3 of the ballots were rejected.

 

Postal Ballots Received and Rejected in 47 Parliamentary Constituencies

 

Dzongkhags	Parliamentary constituency	Total number of postal ballot application received	Postal ballot application accepted	Postal ballot application rejected	Eligible    voters
Bumthang	Chhoekhor_Tang	767	697	70	9,249
	Chhumig_Ura	468	421	47
Chhukha	Bongo_Chapchha	1568	1349	219	22,918
	Phuentshogling	489	419	70
Dagana	Drukjeygang_Tseza	1193	1008	185	21,697
	Lhamoi Dzingkha_Tashiding	1179	976	203
Gasa	Khatoed_Laya	76	71	5	1,835
	Khamaed_Lunana	62	59	3
Haa	Bji_Kar-Tshog_Uesu	550	487	63	7,520
	Sombaykha	441	394	47
Lhuentse	Gangzur_Minjey	1458	1298	160	15,922
	Maenbi_Tsaenkhar	1548	1370	178
Mongar	Monggar	1784	1550	234	31,926
	Dramedtse_Ngatshang	1820	1528	292
	Kengkhar_ Weringla	1707	1465	242
Paro	Lamgong_Wangchang	796	732	64	17,257
	Dokar_Sharpa	764	677	87
Pema Gatshel	Khar_Yurung	2124	1837	287	24,287
	Nanong _Shumar	1900	1785	115
	Nganglam	1131	956	175
Punakha	Lingmukha_Toedwang	793	684	109	15,542
	Kabisa_Talog	1020	846	174
SamdrupJongkhar	Dewathang_Gomdar	2150	1792	358	23,728
	Jomotshangkha_ Martshala	1812	1583	229
Samtse	Phuentshogpelri_Samtse	803	701	102	42,334
	Ugyentse_Yoeseltse	895	789	106
	Tashichhoeling	1220	1002	220
	Dophuchen _Tading	939	793	146
Sarpang	Gelephu	951	1678	273	26,416
	Shompangkha	926	782	144
Thimphu	North Thimphu	472	412	60	12,628
	South Thimphu	646	581	65
Trashigang	Kanglung_Samkhar_ Udzorong	1991	1707	284	44,167
	Thrimshing	1553	1304	249
	Bartsham_Shongphu	1674	1450	224
	Wamrong	1687	1450	237
	Radhi_Sagteng	1149	1012	137
Trashiyangtse	Boomdeling _Jamkhar	1492	1263	229	17,493
	Khamdang_Ramjar	1338	1152	186
Trongsa	Nubi _Tangsibji	795	696	99	9,373
	Dragteng_Langthil	843	719	124
Tsirang	Sergithang_Tsirang Toed	1044	897	147	20,979
	Kilkhorthang_ Mendrelgang	1172	967	205
Wangdue            Phodrang	Athang_Thedtsho	969	797	172	19,431
	Nyishog_Sephu	983	862	121
Zhemgang	Bardo_Trong	2423	2077	346	16,735
	Panbang	883	749	134
	Total	53,633	47715	7526