The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Numerous roadblocks in Zhemgang dzongkhag have prevented five candidates from Trong and Goshing gewog from appearing the second phase of functional literacy test held on July 19.
Appearing the functional literacy test is a must to be eligible to contest the local government elections according to Bhutan’s election regulations. Bhutan’s second local government election is scheduled in the next few months.
“Only two of the seven registered candidates could appear in the second phase,” Zhemgang Election Officer, Ugyen Tshomo, said. “Most of the other participating candidates got through in the first phase.”
She said the candidates were informed about the functional literacy test but they could not make it because of natural calamities.
She said the functional literacy test were held in eight gewog centres in the first phase but all candidates could not turn up.
For this reason a second phase was held to ensure that all aspiring candidates got a chance to appear the test as well as those who failed to get through in the first round.
The mangmi of Trong gewog, Sangay, said that in the first phase two candidates from Trong did not get through and were informed to take part in second phase.
“The second phase was a good opportunity for the candidates who could not appear earlier,” he said.
Roadblocks have occurred between Trong gewog and Panbang dungkhag in lower Kheng and between Nangkor gewog and gewogs of upper Kheng. Most of these roads are not black topped.
Any candidate participating in local government election must appear and get through the functional literacy test to become eligible to contest any post in local government.
