The results for the preliminary election for the post of Sikyong, or Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and members of the 16th parliament have been announced, showing that the incumbent Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay had an easy win. The Election Commission (EC) made the announcement on December 4.
The Election Commissioner Mr Sonam Choephel Shosur with the two Additional Election Commissioners
Photo: Contact/Lha
Dr Lobsang Sangay stands first in the Sikyong election, with 30,508 votes, followed by the current Speaker, Penpa Tsering with 10,732 votes and Atsok Lukar Jam third with 2,557 votes. The other Sikyong candidates Tashi Wangdue received 1880 votes and Tashi Topgyal38 votes. 18 people voted for the Former Kalon Tripa, Samdhong Rinpoche. On asking about the number of finalists for the Sikyong post, the EC replied that they will stick to what they announced earlier on October 20, which is if the vote margin between the second and third candidate is less than 20%, there will be three finalists. So it is confirmed that final will be between Lobsang Sangay and Penpa Tsering.
The Election Commissioner Sonam Choephel Shosur said that 88,326 voters registered; however, there was only a 53.33% voter turnout for the Sikyong poll and 53% turnout for the Members of the Parliament vote. He also declared that there were 499 invalid votes for the Sikyong poll and 2,383 for the members of parliament poll. On asking about the absence of voters from Bhutan, he explained that Tibetans in Bhutan could not take part as the government of Bhutan asked for details of individuals’ casting vote for the Tibetan election which made Tibetans there reluctant to come forward to participate in the election. For the prelims, Tibetans voted at 85 locations around the world.
Regarding the vote for Members of the 16th Tibetan Parliament, the EC declared the top 40 candidates from each of the three provinces Domey, Dotoe and U-Tsang; eight candidates from each of the five Buddhist sects; Europe and North and South America and four from Australasia constituencies. Thupten Lungrik with 1,495 votes led the Domey province, Kunchok Choedon with 4,495 votes led the Dotoe province and Dhardon Sharling with 10,704 votes tops U-Tsang province and all other candidates.
The preliminary election was held on October 18; the final voting for both Sikyong and the poll for parliament members will be held on March 20, 2016.
Keep up to date on election issues by following this link to our election news page: Election 2016
Print
Email