Sikyong, Tibetan parliamentary poll schedule announced

Tribune News Service

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Dharamsala, September 29

The Chief Election Commission of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has announced the electoral calendar for the 2021 Sikyong and 17th Tibetan parliamentary elections as per the Charter of Tibetans-in-Exile and the Tibetan electoral rules and regulations.

Chief Election Commissioner Wangdu Tsering Pesur, accompanied by Geshema Delek Wangmo and Sonam Gyaltsen, the two additional election commissioners, made the announcements at a press conference here on Monday.

As per the announcement, the preliminary election for Sikyong and members of the 17th Tibetan Parliament is slated for January 3, 2021, and the final election is to be held on April 11, 2021.

The Election Commissioner also issued a set of guidelines for short listing of candidates for the final Sikyong election.

He said, “As per the Article 67 (4) of the electoral rules and regulation, the election commission should shortlist not less than two candidates for Sikyong in the final election after due examination of their preliminary results, green book dues and the withdrawal of candidature, if any. Pursuant to this, the EC shall shortlist two candidates for the final election of Sikyong.”

Secondly, if candidates poll equal second-highest votes in the preliminary round, then three candidates shall be shortlisted for the final Sikyong election.

If candidates poll two equal first-highest votes in the preliminary round, then announcement will be made on those two candidates.

In the preliminary elections for the posts of Sikyong, all registered voters of Tibetan community spread across the world would vote. Their green book, that is proof of Tibetans living in exile, is identity proof for voting of Tibetans. The two candidates that get highest votes in preliminary elections would run for final phase of elections that would be held in April.

The 2021 general election will elect the fifth directly elected Sikyong (earlier Kalon Tripa) and the 17th Tibetan parliament-in-exile.