2023 Bhutan National Council Election

Email

Historic Turnout for 2023 National Council Election & the Surprising unpredictability of the Bhutanese electorate

Voting in Bhutan 2023 (Source: Kuensel)

The lackluster showings at the various election forums, coupled with the heavy outflow of emigrates to Australia and curtailing of postal ballot facilitation by the Election Commission, had many predicting that the voter turnout for this 2023 National Council election might be the lowest in history. The populace, however, showed their unpredictability by showing up at the ballot boxes. At the end of the day, 55% of the 485,811 eligible voters casted their votes to elect their representative at the National Council, an historic high since the beginning of democratic elections in Bhutan in 2018, just 15 years ago.

A total of 168,869 electronic voting machine votes were cast and 96,72 postal votes were cast.

The role of the National Council in Bhutan

The National Council is the upper house of Bhutan's bicameral Parliament, where there’s a total of 20 elected councilors representing each Dzongkha, while five members are nominated by the Druk Gyalpo (The King of Bhutan). The members cannot belong to any political party and must have a minimal degree. The role of the National Council, like that of the upper houses of the Westminster-style parliaments, acts as the house of review on matters affecting the security, sovereignty, or interests of Bhutan but has no executive power in the government.

Fewest councilors get re-elected

Of the 10 Councilors seeking re-elections from the constituencies, only 2 of them got reelected while the other eight lost to candidates of various backgrounds with some losing heavily despite their active participation in the National Council debates and active community outreach in their constituencies.  

Only Sangay Dorji from Chukha and Ugyen Tshering from Paro won their re-elections and are expected to take leading roles in the 4th National Council.

Surprises from the voters

Of the 20 elected councilors, 10 of them accumulated their experiences in the education sector, as teachers or principals in all level of education both in public, private and also sports federations.

Four of the elected councilors were contesting in their third election and pulled through on their third try, meaning they would have waited 10 years and the Bhutanese voters rewarded their grit and perseverance with a win.

Tshering Tshomo from Zhemgang will be the lone female councilor in the Fourth National Council, continuing the scenario of under-representation of women in Bhutan’s politics.



Related Posts

Fourth Druk Gyalpo; Celebrating the Father of Bhutan and gift of...

His Majesty the Fourth King at the age of 16, On a way to a conference abroad, he was asked by a journalist, what is...

Nov 06, 2020 11:04

Bhutan to hold 3rd general election on Oct 18

The primary round will be held on Sept 15, followed by the general election on Oct 18.

Aug 20, 2018 11:05

Drukair resumes charter to Timor Leste's capital Dili from 2023

Drukair resumes weekly charter flights to Timor Leste's capital Dili after pandemic

Feb 01, 2023 11:19

Progress on Bhutan's Sustainable Low Emission Urban Transport...

Bhutan now has 200 electric vehicles on the road, with another hundred to be dispatched very soon.

Nov 29, 2022 18:13

Translation of His Majesty's Address to the Nation at the 8th...

His Majesty delivered the Royal Address on the Opening Ceremony of the 8th Session of the Third Parliament, 4th...

Nov 05, 2022 15:23

Bhutan has a new brand and tagline, BHUTAN: Believe

Believe is about more than just tourism. It is about transforming the nation as a whole.

Oct 09, 2022 14:38

Latest

News

2023 Bhutan National Council Election

Historic Turnout for 2023 National Council Election & the Surprising unpredictability of the Bhutanese electorate

Apr 23, 2023 14:14

Drukair resumes charter to Timor Leste's capital Dili from 2023

Drukair resumes weekly charter flights to Timor Leste's capital Dili after pandemic

Feb 01, 2023 11:19

Features

Bhutanese actor raise awareness on climate change by cycling through Bhutan

Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk launched The Messenger: Ride for Action, planting trees and talking to everybody.

Nov 25, 2022 15:18

Cordyceps Sinensis, the super mushrooms of Bhutan

Cordyceps Sinensis has many health benefits, which includes being an aphrodisiac.

Sep 25, 2022 16:50

Business

Bhutanese streaming platform Samuh is gaining international recognition

Founder and CEO of Samuh, Nyema Zam, recently won the Business Rice Awards 2022.

Dec 30, 2022 19:15

School in Lhuentse embrace entrepreneurship through Chip Production Unit

Bhutan endeavours to guide their youth towards innovation and creativity. The trickle-down effect has seen Tangmachu Central School’s...

Nov 29, 2022 18:04

Sports

Paro FC wins the 2022 BOB Bhutan Premier League

Paro FC wins third Premier League title in nail biting fashion in final match of the season.

Jan 09, 2023 15:45

More Bhutanese youths are engaged in football

Sitting at the 186th position in the FIFA rankings, Bhutan looks to improve its rankings in the years to come.

Aug 03, 2022 20:19

Travel

A tale of two airports in Bhutan

As the slow pace towards a pre-pandemic world begins, two of the country’s domestic airports are going through their own challenges and...

Nov 03, 2022 16:30

What you need to know about birdwatching in Bhutan

The best seasons and locations for birdwatching in the Kingdom of Bhutan.

Sep 25, 2022 16:57

Lifestyle

Chillies, a spicy affair in Bhutan

The Bhutanese love it hot.

Jun 07, 2022 23:55

Bhutan is traditionally a matriarchal society

Women are the decision-makers at home, but something is keeping them from public life.

May 27, 2022 22:14

Subscribe to our newsletter

Never miss out on new happenings and news stories!

Download Daily Bhutan Mobile App

Connecting with us just got easier!