Royal resurgence
Posted by barunroy on May 23, 2008
The transition of the Himalayan kingdom, from a monarchy to parliamentary governance, promises to work wonders for its prospective citizens, says Swaati Chaudhury
There is every reason to rejoice for the citizens of the tranquil Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. The world’s last Shangrila embraced democracy following completion of its first historic parliamentary elections on 24 March, which brought to an end 100 years of monarchy. With the blessings of the fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck who has been instrumental in bringing the transition in the Himalayan Kingdom, a large number of discerning voters from across the Kingdom exercised their franchise.
The voter turnout for National Assembly elections held on 24 March was close to 80 per cent of the 318,465 registered voters, which is two per cent higher than the National Council elections. The female voters outnumbered the male and the highest numbers of registered voters were from Gelephu constituency. The democracy of the tiny Himalayan Kingdom is a comprehensive one with its prospective citizens blessed with the right to govern and can reap the benefits of democracy. All fundamental rights mentioned in the draft Constitution, which will be adopted by the new National Assembly are enshrined in the interest of the Bhutanese citizens. The polls have shown that the political parties, constitutional offices, bureaucracy, judiciary and the media will work towards the greater interest of the citizens.
Two political parties contested in the first parliamentary elections, which include the People’s Democratic Party (founded on 24 March, 2007) and Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (founded on 25 July, 2007). The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa has been declared the ruling party led by Lyonpo Jigmi Yoeser Thinley secured a landslide victory in Bhutan’s historic National Assembly elections winning 45 of the 47 seats to the National Assembly. The DPT won all the seats in the eastern, central and southern constituencies while the People’s Democratic Party won two seats in Gasa and Haa.
The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa has to shoulder larger responsibilities entrusted by the people of Bhutan to lay a strong foundation for a vibrant democracy initiated by the fourth Druk King of Bhutan. The victory of DPT is contributed to the fact that its party manifesto promised clean and corruption free government and urged to bring equity and justice on the lines of Gross National Happiness platform. The newly elected government will adopt the draft Constitution and structure the draft Tenth Five Year Plan to the party’s manifesto.
Under the leadership of Lyonpo Jigmi Y. Thinley, the DPT is all set to start a corruption free and transparent government that will be accessible to the media and accountable to the people. It will be highly responsive to the demands of its citizens and will not compromise in matters relating to corruption. The party will bolster the Anti Corruption Commission and make it more stringent. One of the premier priorities of DPT will be to strengthen the existing strong ties of friendship with India. It is most likely that the newly elected Prime Minister of the Himalayan Kingdom will make a round of India in the coming months and India will be the first country to be visited.
A country where growth and progress is scaled in terms of Gross National Happiness rather than Gross National Product, the new government of Bhutan will concentrate on democracy as a strategy to achieve good governance. The Bhutanese citizens have always remained contented with the affairs of their nation and it has been the institution of monarchy that has kept the people united. Beginning in the current year, the Tenth Five Year Plan is based on the perspective of GNH. The milestones on the path of GNH are polls, democracy and good governance.
In the latest development, the ruling party president, Jigmi Y Thinley has been elected as the new Prime Minister of “the Land of Powerful Dragon.” One of the prime goals of the party is to make Bhutan a corruption free country in another five years. Freedom of press is another area that can enhance the interest of the government’s accountability and the party will come up with ways and means to ensure transparency in the government and parliament.
Soon after the polls, the fifth King has appointed five young, eminent nominees to the National Council that reflects the King’s far-sighted vision in expanding leadership among the young. The National Council is now replete with 25 members, of which 20 members have been earlier elected from Dzonkhags in December and January 2007. The elected members of the National Council and the National Assembly assembled together in presence of the Fifth King and discussed about the prosperity of the nation that symbolised the success of democracy under the leadership of His Majesty.
With Bhutan joining the road to glory in the realm of democracy, the Fifth King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will emerge as the first democratic constitutional monarch with the prestigious job of supporting the Constitution. The King rightly stands as the symbol of integrity of the land.
