The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Gewog Dhamngoi Zomdu process to select NC nominees is being held from February 24th to March 15th.
As of 9th March Friday 5 pm, six dzongkhags which are Chukha, Haa, Lhuntse, Samtse, Pemagatshel and Trashiyangtse have completed their respective Dhamngoi Zomdu processes in all their Gewogs and the rest 14 dzongkhags have also completed the nomination process in most of the Gewogs.
Six incumbent NC members from Paro, Punakha, Pemagatshel, Trashigang, Samtse and Dagana have decided to not re-contest in this election. Of 14 incumbent members re-contesting, 10 have got through and two incumbent NC members, Sangay Khandu from Gasa and Kamal Bahadur Gurung from Tsirang did not get through the Dhamngoi Zomdus.
The nomination process for the two incumbent National Council members from Zhemgang and Sarpang are yet to be held.
As of date, only three women have made it through the Dhamngoi zomdu.
Bumthang
In Bumthang, out of the four Gewogs and one thromde, the zomdu has been completed in four Gewogs, but except for Tang the three Gewogs did not have any nominee representing them. In such cases a zomdu will be conducted anyway, whereby the people belonging to their respective Gewog will have to sign a statement form stating that there is not a single nominee from their Gewog. This, as explained by the Election Officer, Tenzin Namgyel is to avoid any allegations or criticisms should any problems arise in the future. The incumbent National Council member, Nima, 40 from Tang Gewog was nominated after securing 373 yes votes and 37 no votes.
Chukha
Chukha with 11 Gewogs have already finished the nomination processes in all the Gewogs with nominees coming forward from only 6 Gewogs. The incumbent National Council member from Chapchha gewog, Pema Tenzin, 39 won with 419 votes against his opponent, Sangay Tenzin, 28 who secured 212 votes. Tshewang Lhamo, 37 from Bjabchog gewog who also served as the Chukha NC member from 2008-2013 won after securing 165 yes votes and 18 no votes. The other candidates who won are Sangay Dorji from Bongo, Kinley Dorji from Geling Gewog, Damcho Gyeltshen from Loggichina, and Hem Kumar Ghalley from Phuntsholing.
Dagana
Dagana with 14 Gewogs saw nominees from 13 Gewogs. The nomination process, so far has been completed in 13 Gewogs. The candidates who made through the Dhamngoi zomdu as of now are Wangdi from Dorona, San Man Gurung from Larjab, Tenzin Samdrup from Tseza, Surja Man Thapa from Gesarling, Kinzang Gyelstshen from Drugaygang, Suraj Pradhan from Lhamoidzingkha, and Birkha Bdr. Subba from Karmaling. Goshi gewog and Tashiding gewogs did not have any aspiring candidates.
Gasa
Gasa with 4 Gewogs has already completed the nomination processes in 3 Gewogs and the nominations for one last Gewog, Lunana will be held on 12th March. Khatoed gewog had three candidates, including the incumbent National Council member, Sangay Khandu who lost after securing 66 votes against his opponent, the former Obstetrics and gynecology department’s head, Dr. Phub Dorji, who secured 127 votes. Kinley Dorji, from Khamaed Gewog and Dorji Khandu, from Laya Gewog were nominated.
Haa
The Dhamngoi zomdu for Haa Dzongkhag has been completed in all the six Gewogs and one throm. National Council member and deputy chairperson of the National Council, Tshering Dorji, 44 from Bji won after securing 526 votes against his opponent, Dawa Tshering, 36 who secured 223 votes. The other selected candidates are Tobgay from Haa Throm, Ugyen Namgay from Sangbay and Ngawang Tobgay from Samar. Kartshog and Uesu did not have any candidates representing the gewogs.
Lhuentse
Lhuentse Dzongkhag has also completed the nomination processes in all the 8 Gewogs and one throm. The former National Council member from Khoma, Rinzin Rinzin, 49 won by securing 269 yes votes and only 6 no votes. Other selected candidates are Tenzin Jurmey from Maenbi, Jurme Tenzin from Kurtoed, Tempa Dorji from Jarey, and Kinga Penjor from Gangzur. Gewogs like Maedtsho, Minjey, Lhuentse Throm and Tseankhar did not have a single aspiring candidate.
Mongar
Mongar Dzongkhag with 17 Gewogs, the highest amongst all the Dzongkhags, as of date saw nominees coming forward from 11 Gewogs. Sonam Wangchuk, the incumbent National Council from Ngatshang won. The candidates who made it through the Dhamngoi zomdu are Tshering Wangchen from Na-Ring, Ugyen Tshering from Dramedtse, Jamyang Loday from Tsakaling, Neten from Chagsakhar, Ugyen Dorji from Thang-Rong, Sonam Pelzom from Tsamang, Chimi Dorji from Shermuhoong, Pema Dorji from Silambi, Tshering Penjor from Balam and Rinchen Dorji from Monggar. The nomination process for Jurmed gewog, Drepoong and Saling gewogs will be held in the coming days.
Paro
Paro with 10 Gewogs has completed with 9 Gewogs. The candidates who made it through the Dhamngoi zomdu are Ugyen Tshering from Lamgong, Chencho Dorji from Shabha, Jangchub Dorji from Lugni gewog, Dawchu from Doteng, Sonam Tashi from Tsento, and Ugyen Dorji from Wangchang. Naja, Dokar, and Dopshari did not have any candidates.
Pemagathsel
Pemagatshel has 11 Gewogs and the zomdus have already been completed in all the gewogs. The candidates who made it through the zomdu are Sonam Dhendup from Nanong gewog, Choining Dorji from Dechhenling, Ugyen Dorji from Norboogang, Sangay Wangchuk from Yurung, Sherig Dentshog from Shumar and Jamtsho from Khar. Other gewogs did not have nominees.
Punakha
Punakha with 11 Gewogs and one Throm has completed the nomination process for 9 Gewogs and the Throm as of Friday. Two women aspirants, Lhaki Dolma and Dr. Dechen Zangmo from Dzomi and Guma Gewogs respectively made through the Dhamngoi zomdus. Former DPT member of Limukha-Toedwang, Namgay Wangchuk has been selected from Toedwang Gewog with 560 votes. The other candidates who made through the Dhamngoi zomdu are Kinley Wangchuk from Barp gewog, Dechen Thaiye Dorji from Toedpaisa, Sonam from Thromde, Tsencho Wangdi from Talog.
Samdrup Jongkhar
Samdrup Jongkhar with 11 Gewogs and one throm has completed with nomination process for 7 Gewogs as of date, however, 4 Gewogs did not have any aspiring candidates to represent their Gewogs. The candidates who made it through are Jigme Wangchuk from Lauri, Tshewang Tenzin from Serthig, and Ugyen Dorji from Martshala.
Samtse
Samtse with 15 Gewogs and one throm has already completed the Dhamngoi zomdu in all the Gewogs and Thromde. 7 Gewogs did not have anyone representing their Gewog. Ngawang Nidup was nominated from Samtse Thromde. The other candidates who made it through are Badrinath Bhattarai from SangngagChhoeling gewog, Chhatrapati Phuyel from from Dophugchen gewog, Narayan Dahal from Yoeseltse gewog, Dhan Kumar Ghalley from Pemaling, Tirtha Man Rai from Doongtoed, Shadeo Rai from Tendruk, Ugyen Lama from Tading and Samten Lepcha from Satse.
Sarpang
Sarpang with 12 Gewogs and one throm has completed the nomination process for 8 Gewogs as of date and the remaining zomdu in the 5 Gewogs will be completed by 14th March. The incumbent National Council member from the Dzongkhag, Dhan Bdr. Monger will also be re-contesting in this election. The candidates who made it through are Khari Lal Gurung, from Chhuzangang, Anand Rai from Gakiling, Ugyen Tshering Dorji from Shompangkha and Pema Tashi from Serzhong.
Thimphu
Thimphu with 8 Gewogs has completed the nomination process for 4 Gewogs and the throm. The rest will be completed by 13th of March. Tshokey Dorji from Thim throm was nominated. 2 Gewogs did not have any nominees coming forward. The incumbent National Council member from the Dzongkhag, Nima Gyeltshen won from Chang Gewog. Leki Tshering was selected from Ge-Nyen gewog.
Trashiyangtse
Trashiyangtse with 8 Gewogs and a Thromde has completed the nomination process for all the Gewogs with latest being conducted yesterday for Jamkhar Gewog. The incumbent National Council member from the Dzongkhag, Tashi Phuntsho from Yalang gewog won. 3 Gewogs did not have nominees. The other selected candidates are Phurpa Gyeltshen from Ramjar, Sonam Tenzin from Khamdang, Ngawang Tashi from Tongmizhangsa, Thinley from Yangtse, and Karma Gyeltshen from Yangste Throm.
Trashigang
Trashigang with 15 gewogs and a throm has completed 14 Gewog nominations. There are no nominees from the 7 gewogs including the throm. The candidates who made it are Ugyen Phuntsho from Bartsham, Dorji Wangchuk from Bidoong, Lhatu from Lumuang, Sonam Tobgay from Radhi, Jamyang from Samkhar, Chheki Wangchuk from Shongphu, Ugyen Dorji from Thrimshing, and Pema Wangda from Udzorong.
Trongsa
Trongsa with 5 Gewogs and a Thromde, has completed 3 Gewogs and is left with 2 more Gewogs. The incumbent National Council member, Tharchen, 38 won yesterday during the Dhamngoi zomdu from Langthil Gewog after. There were no nominees from the two Gewogs and the Throm.
Tsirang
Tsirang with 12 Gewogs, has so far completed the zomdu in 10 Gewogs. The incumbent National Council member, Kamal Bahadur Gurung, 51 from Mendrelgang Gewog lost by a vote to his opponent, Bhandari, 33 who scored 218 votes.
The other selected candidates are Hom Nath Thapa from Gosarling, Dhan Kumar Sunwar from Tsirang Toed, Sangay Tamang from Tsholingkhar, Nim Karma Sherpa from Rangthangling, Mingma Dorji Lama from Kilkhorthang, Nado Rinchen from Barshong, Tara Bir Chuwan from Doonglagang, Tashi Norbu from Patshaling and Lok Natu tiwari from Phuentenchhu.
Wangdue Phodrang
Wangdue Phodrang with 15 Gewogs and one Throm is left with only 2 Gewog Dhamngoi zomdu. The incumbent National Council Member, Tashi Dorji from Rubesa Gewog won while the former DPT candidate, Passang Thrinlee from Bjena also won. No nominees have come forward from the 4 Gewogs where nomination process has been completed.
The other selected candidates are Thinley from Thedtsho, Dawa Tshering from Saephu, and Rada Wangchuk from Wangdue Thromde.
Zhemgang
Zhemgang Dzongkhag with 8 Gewogs and a Thromde is left with 4 Gewogs to complete the zomdu. The incumbent National Council Member, Pema Drakpa will also be re-contesting this election and the nomination process is scheduled after two days.
The selected candidates are Sonam Leki from Nangkor, Dorji Cheten from Phangkhar, and Sangay Dorji from Goshing.
