NA to dissolve by the end of this week

The cabinet members however will await the Druk Gyalpo’s Kasho and until an interim government is formed

The National Assembly (NA) of the nation’s first democratically elected parliament will be dissolved on Sunday, 20 April upon completion of its five year term. On the last day, members of the NA that was constituted in April 2008 will leave office by offering Tashi Moenlam at the Gyalyong Tshogkhang.

However, the government will not be dissolved till an interim government is formed.

Article 19, Section 1 of the constitution of the kingdom of Bhutan states “whenever the National Assembly is dissolved, the Druk Gyalpo shall appoint an interim government to function for a period which shall not exceed ninety days, to enable the election commission to hold free and fair elections”

The constitution did not come into effect during the first parliamentary elections back in 2007. This will be the first time in history that the provisions of the constitution shall be invoked to form an interim government.

“This time, everything will be carried out as per the constitution,” Deputy Speaker of the NA Yangku Tshering Sherpa said.

Works and Human Settlement Minister Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba said the resignation of the present government will now depend on when the interim government will be constituted. “It has to be done at the same time because we cannot have a situation where the country is left without a government.”

The interim government will be formed within May 5, 2013.

“The interim government shall consist of a chief advisor and other advisors appointed by the Druk Gyalpo within fifteen days after the dissolution of the National Assembly,” states Article 19, Section 2 of the constitution.

The Chief Justice shall be appointed as the chief advisor.

The prime minister and other cabinet ministers shall resign from office immediately after the appointment of the interim government.

The Information and Communications (MoIC) Secretary Dasho Kinley Dorji said, the ministry during the interim government’s administration “will function as normal without any policy decisions made.”

The interim government shall carry out the routine functions of the government but is not entitled to take any policy decisions or enter into any agreement with foreign governments or organizations.

In accordance to the constitution, the second elected government will be formed within 90 days from the date of dissolution of the NA. The interim government will cease to exist from the date on which the new prime minister enters office and once the new NA is constituted.

When asked about the government’s performance over the years, Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba said “it would be fair to say that it has been very successful.”

“Problems will always be there but what is important is that we solve the problems as and when they arise. There isn’t any country where a government comes in and all problems are removed. Within the five year term, the economy has done well and the country is set on a sound footing. Ups and downs are all part of democracy,” Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba said.

Meanwhile, the last ‘Meet the Press’ session by the government will be held tomorrow.

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