Election Process Underway

By Mary Trewartha / June 30, 2015;

Election Commisioners at a press conference
Photo:Tibet Sun

The election process has begun for the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), or Tibetan government-in-exile. The post of Sikyong, or Prime Minister of the Government-in-Exile, is up for election along with the other Chitue, or members of the parliament-in-exile. The 14th Kashag, or Cabinet, completes its five-year term in April, 2016.

The CTA’s Election Commission has announced the itinerary. Sonam ChoephelShosur, chief of the Election Commission, said“The preliminary election for Sikyong and members of the 16th Tibetan parliament is slated for October 18. The final election will be held on March 20, 2016”. The Commission has announced new rules regarding campaign expenses and activities of the candidates, and has capped candidates’ electoral expenditure.

The Sikyong is the administrative head of the exile Tibetan administration based in Dharamshala. Following the last election in 2011, the present Sikyong, Lobsang Sangay, became the first Tibetan to be elected as the leader of the exile community after the Dalai Lama had devolved his political authority, bringing to an end the 368-year old tradition of the Dalai Lamas being both spiritual and temporal head of Tibet. A Sikyong cannot serve for more than two consecutive terms; Lobsang Sangay can stand for one more term and is expected to do so.

The next parliament-in-exile will comprise of 45 members with 10 representatives each from the three traditional Tibetan provinces, two representatives each from the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon religions, two representatives from North and South America, two representatives from Europe and Africa, and one representative from Australia and Asia (excluding India, Nepal and Bhutan). Any Tibetan aged 25 or over has the right to stand for election. Elections are held every five years and any Tibetan who has reached the age of 18 is entitled to vote.

The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile was instituted in 1960 by the Dalia Lama to introduce a democratic system of administration for Tibetans.

Contact Magazine will be bringing you news of the election process, including profiles of the candidates and up to date coverage of election issues, look out for next month’s Contact, or visit www.contactmagazine.net.