The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The voters of North-Thimphu constituency are angrier than ever at politicians, and at laws that tolerate the resignation of elected party candidates before completing their terms.
Resignation of a prominent Member of Parliament (MP) from Druk Phunsuem Tshogpa (DPT), Kinga Tshering, of North-Thimphu constituency, has left the people frustrated. They are now apprehensive about electing another candidate.
A 34- year-old business man from Kabesa, Thimphu, Chencho, said that the resignation of the candidate is inappropriate. He said the people are further frustrated at the prospect of electing inexperienced candidates in place of the ex MP.
He said that Kinga Tshering was the most proficient candidate of the party to represent the people and they had placed their trust and faith in him.
“We never expected him to be so disloyal and that his individual desire could be more important than us,” Chencho said.
Chencho said that this has set a precedent already, and in future, more of such problems will arise. He also questioned the prevailing laws that allow for a serving MP to resign from his or her post for further studies.
He added, “The best example is what we are experiencing now, the party president resigned first and now the candidate.” Chencho also expressed his concern that such moderate law will only allow for more candidates to resign if they find a better opportunity elsewhere.
“We like to see election happening once in every five years but not twice,” Chencho added.
Kencho Wangmo, 48, from Kabesa, Thimphu, also shared similar thoughts on the resignation of the DPT MP.
“What can be more frustrating than this? He failed to serve people as he had promised during the campaign,” Kencho Wangmo said. She added that Kinga Tshering should have consulted with the people before putting up his resignation.
She said that resigning on the ground that he had an opportunity to pursue further studies is not a good reason.
She added that MPs wishing to resign after getting elected must be governed by certain conditions and rules, if not, similar case will keep on occurring, which will waste people’s trust and time, and more importantly the country’s resources.
“My family members will participate in the LG election responsibly, but not the By- Election,” Kencho Wangmo said.
Ex-armed personnel, Ariya Dewa, 33, said he was sad to learn that a capable MP resigned due to a petty reason.
He said there is unnecessary burden of electing another candidate due to the void left by the ex MP. He added that people do not have the time to go through another election process.
“During the election period, people come across lots of problem and get into family problems,” he said.
A former civil servant, Karma T Tshering, 50, from Dechenchholing said that since the MPs are elected by people, therefore, they should be required to consult with the people about resignation matters.
“Today Kinga Tshering resigned to pursue further studies, tomorrow another MP may resign with another petty reason,” Karma T. Tshering said. He said that strong laws should come in place to protect such self-seeking acts of the MPs.
He also expressed his doubts if the voters from North-Thimphu constituency are willing to participate in the By-Election.
“The innocent people should not suffer by participating in election process again and again just because of the selfish motive of the elected leaders,” he said.
Another disappointed voter is a 47-year-old woman from Begana, Choden Pelden Dorji. She claims that she was the sole supporter of the candidate in her family during the time they voted for the ex MP.
She pointed out that although political candidates have the freedom of choice, granted under Fundamental Rights of the Constitution, to choose to resign, however, such actions by the MPs are discouraging the voters from participating in the future elections.
“It is important to set individual interest aside of the overall national well being,” Choden Pelden Dorji said.
She went on to say that the finance and other related resources should be borne by individual party in conducting the by-election in order to deter candidates from resigning before completing their actual term.
Lhamo, 60, from Kabesa shared that the candidate was unable to wait for his term to complete and it is unfortunate that just because of one candidate, parties lose their credibility.
“Stern provisions should come into place to prevent similar practices by the candidates in future,” Lhamo said.
