Registration opens for new NC election

The Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) has started registering details of the aspiring candidates for the National Council (NC) elections, scheduled for early next year. ECB said the briefing sessions for these candidates will be held in October to make them conversant with electoral laws. 

The briefing session is expected to orient them on the requirements for contesting elections and “deepen their understanding of the electoral processes, specifically related to the fourth NC elections”.

The current NC was constituted on 10 May 2018 and its term will end tentatively on 9 May 2023. The elections must be held before the date to ensure continuity of the house, as guaranteed by the constitution.

The incumbent members can recontest without resigning, according to the NC Act. 

The ECB has asked individuals with intentions to contest the elections to register either with the ECB head office in Thimphu or the nearest dzongkhag election office.

The NC elections are expected to see high numbers of candidates, especially from districts Samtse, Sarpang, Mongar and Trashigang.