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 |