McLeodganj: Tibetan exile community delivers strong mandate

According to the Election Commission, Penpa Tsering polled 61.025 per cent of the total votes cast in the preliminary round held on February 1. As stipulated under Article 67(4) of the Election Rules and Regulations, a candidate who secures more than 60 per cent of the total votes in the preliminary round is declared elected, eliminating the need for a final round of voting. In view of this provision, the commission formally declared him elected as Sikyong.

A total of 51,140 Tibetans participated in the preliminary election process, which saw 103 candidates in the fray. Besides Penpa Tsering, the two other principal contenders were Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang and Tsering Phuntsok, who secured 17,843 and 159 votes, respectively.

The commission also outlined the process for the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. Under Article 67(3), the Commission is mandated to allow 20 days for withdrawal of candidature before shortlisting not more than six candidates for Sikyong from the preliminary round. Additionally, Article 49(1)(A) requires the commission to provide 30 days for withdrawal and then shortlist candidates numbering at least three times the stipulated seats in respective parliamentary constituencies.

Accordingly, 30 candidates each have been shortlisted from the three traditional provinces of Tibet. Six candidates each have been shortlisted from the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and the Bon religion, as well as from North and South America, and Europe and Africa. Three candidates have been shortlisted from Australasia, excluding India, Nepal and Bhutan.

Candidates contesting for the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile have been directed to confirm their candidature by February 27 by submitting a letter through their respective local election commissions. The confirmation must include personal details, copies of the first and last pages of the Green Book, a brief biography in Monlam Uni Ouchan 2 font (size 14, within 300 words) and a recent passport-sized colour photograph. Withdrawal requests must be submitted by February 28.