Bhutan: Political history
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
Contents |
A backgrounder
With special reference to the 2024 elections
Mira Patel, Jan 12, 2024: The Indian Express
A promising young democracy
Unlike Pakistan and Bangladesh, where the fairness of elections is perennially in question, Bhutan’s elections have been relatively straightforward, without any complaints of tampering or uneven playing fields. Even after the incumbent was ousted in November, there were no crackdowns or violence reported, and no opposition figures have been imprisoned on politically motivated accusations.
This is quite the accomplishment, especially since Bhutan transitioned from a monarchy to a parliamentary democracy as recently as 2008. The nation is still ruled in the name of the monarch, however, the charming King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk holds little actual political authority.
Since the first elections were held, 15 years ago, Bhutan’s democratic system has significantly evolved. Whereas in the inaugural elections, only two parties were eligible to compete, the recent race saw five candidates. Moreover, compared to past elections, candidates this time had specific promises and positions, giving voters a genuine — and difficult — choice.
That being said, Bhutan’s democracy is far from perfect. DC-based political advocacy group Freedom House characterises the country as “partly free,” citing media censorship and discrimination against religious and linguistic minorities. Concerns remain about the lack of accountability among the Bhutanese political class.
Economic concerns key
The election this year took place against a dismal economic background in Bhutan. Its tourism industry is still reeling from the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the country has a youth unemployment rate of 29 per cent — over half of Bhutan’s population is under 30 years old and categorised as ‘youth’.
Moreover, data show that one in eight people in Bhutan are “struggling to meet their basic needs for food” and other necessities. Over the past five years, Bhutan’s GDP has grown at a snail’s pace of about 1.7 per cent on average. This is leading to record numbers of young people emigrating from Bhutan to places like Australia in pursuit of better opportunities.
These economic concerns were central to Tobgay’s successful campaign. He has pledged to encourage the investment required to strengthen the $3 billion Bhutan economy, and deal with the unemployment that he says is behind the “mass exodus” from Bhutan.
In fact Tobgay has always been one to talk about Bhutan’s grim economic challenges, and the contrast between the Himalayan country’s idyllic image and more depressing reality. “My country is not one big monastery populated with happy monks. As a tiny, impoverished nation, we are trying to survive,” he said in a 2016 TED talk.
Where India stands
India remains Bhutan’s biggest donor and ally, and will be crucial in helping with its economic recovery. India is funding multiple infrastructure initiatives in the country, including a newly announced railway project. Bhutan also has untapped hydroelectric potential, with New Delhi likely to be a lucrative client.
But in recent years, Bhutan has also been an arena of hostilities between India and Bhutan’s other neighbour China. Doklam, a border region claimed by both China and Bhutan, saw clashes between Indian and Chinese troops break out in 2017. Earlier this week, satellite photos purportedly depicting a Chinese military presence on Bhutan-claimed land were released by India’s NDTV.
Now Bhutan does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with China. However, the previous prime minister, Lotay Tshering, signed a joint cooperation agreement with Beijing in October 2023, which specified the duties of a joint technical team in delineating the border between the two. He was generally seen as more “pro-China”, to the extent that he was willing to negotiate with the country.
Newly-elected Tobgay, on the other hand, is very much considered to be pro-India, and thus hands a major boost to India’s strategic concerns in the region. On Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tobgay for his victory on Twitter (now X). “Heartiest congratulations to my friend… Look forward to working together again to further strengthen our unique ties of friendship and cooperation,” he wrote.
2018
Victory for surgeon Lotay Tshering’s DNT party
New party led by surgeon to form next govt in Bhutan, October 20, 2018: The Times of India
Bhutan’s voters gave an overwhelming victory to a new party headed by a surgeon in only the third democratic election held by the Himalayan kingdom, according to provisional results.
The country of 800,000 people, wedged between giant neighbours China and India and known for its Gross National Happiness index, has now chosen a different party to rule at each election since the end of absolute monarchy in 2008.
The centre-left Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT), which was only formed in 2013, won 30 of the 47 national assembly seats. Indiasceptic Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) secured the other 17 seats in the runoff contest limited to the two parties who led a first round of voting in September. .
DNT leader Lotay Tshering, a 50-year-old urology surgeon, vowed to work for “nation building” in the country which is battling high foreign debt, mainly owed to India, as well as youth employment and rural poverty.
Relations with India remain sensitive. At least five candidates and activists were fined up to two month’s wages for sending instant messenger statements to groups on relations with India, the Bhutan poll body said. Last year India and China became embroiled in a military standoff over the Doklam plateau claimed by China and Bhutan, and which sits on a strategic corner where the three nations meet. India, which has a military presence in Bhutan, stepped in to prevent China from building a road there.
2024
PDP wins 30/ 47 National Assembly seats
January 10, 2024: The Times of India
Bhutan ex-PM wins elections overshadowed by economic strife
Thimphu : The People’s Democratic Party won the most seats in Bhutan’s parliamentary elections and will form the new government as residents hope politicians make good on promises to fix the economic crisis in the Himalayan nation.
Latest figures from the Bhutan Broadcasting Service, a national broadcaster, showed the PDP had won 30 of the 47 National Assembly seats to return to power, and the Bhutan Tendrel Party had secured 17. It was the country’s fourth general elections since its transformation from a traditional monarchy to a parliamentary form of government in 2008. The Election Commission of Bhutan will make its final declaration.
Candidates on Tuesday’s ballot represented only the PDP of former PM Tshering Tobgay and the BTP led by former civil servant Pema Chewang. A primary round of voting in Nov. eliminated three other parties, including the ruling center-left Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa party. The severe economic crisis played a major role in campaigning. According to the World Bank, Bhutan’s economy grew at a rate of 1.7% over the past five years. With unemployment a chronic problem, an exodus of young people in search of higher education and jobs abroad is undermining the country’s economic potential. AP
